Wrong-way driving

Fatalities caused by wrong-way driving in the United States, 1996–2000

Wrong-way driving is the act of driving a motor vehicle against the direction of traffic. It can occur on either one- or two-way roads (in the latter case, arising from driving on the wrong side of the road), as well as in parking lots and parking garages, and may be due to driver inattention or impairment, or because of insufficient road markings or signage. It can also occur due to drivers from right-hand traffic countries being unaccustomed to driving in a left-hand traffic country, and vice versa. Often, people also drive in the wrong direction intentionally because they missed an exit, for thrill-seeking, as a suicide attempt or as a shortcut.^[1]

It is a serious problem when it occurs on divided highways because of the high speeds usually involved. In the United States, about 350 people are killed each year in accidents caused by drivers headed in the wrong direction on the highway.^[2] Most drivers who enter a divided highway or ramp in the wrong direction correct themselves by turning around.^[2]

One of the aims of highway engineering is to reduce wrong-way driving.

Depending on the jurisdiction, wrong-way driving is a punishable offense. In New Zealand, wrong-way driving, even by accident, is counted as careless driving and can result in up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to NZ$10,000.

References

1. ^ "Alles hochgradig hirnlose Kutscher? (All utterly brainless coachmen?)" (in German). Der Spiegel. December 4, 1978. http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-42713358.html. Retrieved August 21, 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Moler, Steve (2002). "Stop. You're going the wrong way.". Public Roads (Federal Highway Administration, United States Department of Transportation) 66 (2). http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/02sep/06.cfm. Retrieved 2011-03-24.