Connecticut continues to roll out wrong-way detection systems in areas prone to wrong-way drivers, with the recent death of another driver in a wrong-way crash in Waterbury bringing the total to 13 wrong-way crash deaths this year. Mark Vecchitto shared his experience of a terrifying encounter with a wrong-way driver on Interstate 95, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision thanks to a trucker who let him move over.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation reports that the wrong-way systems have been activated over 125 times since October 2023, with an average of two and a half activations per week. Despite the systems working to prevent wrong-way crashes, 13 people have been killed in six crashes this year, with impairment being a typical cause for these incidents.
Josh Morgan, a spokesperson for the CT DOT, highlights the importance of following the law, driving without distractions, slowing down, and never driving impaired to help prevent wrong-way crashes. The wrong-way systems are designed to alert the DOT operations center and state police when activated, with most drivers turning around when the lights flash.
The DOT has funding in place to install 230 wrong-way detection systems statewide in areas where data suggests are most prone to wrong-way drivers. With over 700 ramps on the state’s highways, the implementation of these systems aims to improve roadway safety for all drivers. Remember, paying attention while driving is crucial to preventing wrong-way crashes.
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