Going the Wrong Way

Connecticut Municipalities adapt Wrong-Way Detection Units

Every driver remembers the difficulty of learning to drive and obtaining a driver’s license. Staying in the right lane, driving at the speed limit, and, of course, parallel parking are just a few of these perennial challenges. Despite eventually earning their licenses, drivers are never fully clear of such challenges. For example, they may find at times that they accidentally turned onto a one-way street. Even the best of drivers can occasionally make mistakes, and even the smallest mistake might lead to disaster. Such a mistake is far more common than expected, and it can be quite dangerous. According to an NBC Connecticut article, Connecticut had a record high 13 crashes and 23 wrong-way fatalities in 2022. In the first half of 2024, there have been 11 deaths and four crashes that resulted from wrong-way driving alone. While driving in the wrong direction is dangerous by itself, its lethality multiplies when combined with a variety of other factors: lowered visibility at night, speeding, alcohol, and drowsiness to name a few. Furthermore, the same NBC article points out that neighboring states, in this case Rhode Island, have had sophisticated wrong-way warning systems in place for eight years. Connecticut has just started addressing these issues. To catch up, Connecticut has been working fast in testing and implementing new systems.

In 2024, 11 people have died in wrong-way driving crashes on Connecticut highways. That’s 11 too many. Remain focused on the road every time you drive, because one wrong move can cost everything.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has started an initiative, called Project 170-3608, to set up these systems and minimize the damage from wrong-way driving. CDOT has focused on implementing wrong-way detection units and signs to alert unaware drivers. The bright signs and flashing lights are hard not to notice, preventing future crashes. These warnings for the drivers are complemented by motion-activated video systems which alert the state police and Departments of Transportation dispatch centers of wrong-way driving, as well as whether such vehicles turned back around. These systems have helped minimize the chances of crashes in other states, so their implementation in Connecticut should have great effects.

Manchester and East Hartford are the homes of the latest of such implementations. Wrong-way detection systems were recently built and tested on I-384 and I-84 in July. Hamden and North Haven are also primed to receive new wrongway detection systems on Route 15 Southbound and I-91.

With the two-year project being set to finish this August, there is hope that the trend of wrong-way accidents will fade away. The dangers of wrong-way accidents can never fully be countered by technology. It is important to stay alert and follow recommended driving procedures. In the end, there is a reason drivers had to go through challenges to earn their licenses. No matter how much drivers want to forget those tough days, it is best for them to recall the lessons they learned when learning to drive.