Rhode Island Takes Action to Stop Wrong Way Accidents

Wrong way automobile and truck crashes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts are a serious public safety concern that must be addressed by state and federal authorities and legislators. Recently, there has been a rash of head-on fatal collisions in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

Sadly, there is a substantial body or research which indicates that a disproportionate number of wrong way collision result in death of one or more motorists or their passengers. Thankfully, with the use of federal funds, the Ocean State has decided to take precautionary action to decrease and prevent wrong-way highway motor vehicle and motorcycle wrecks. Unfortunately, no amount of safety measures can completely end wrong way car and semi-truck fatalities.

A large percent of wrong way freeway and highway vehicular accidents are caused by drunk driving (dui/ oui / dwi), drugged driving, stoned driving, sleepy / drowsy / tired driving as well as elderly driving.

The Providence Journal reported “Given the severity of wrong-way highway accidents, the state Department of Transportation recently decided to launch a $2-million project intended to try to stop people from entering exit ramps.” Projo If you were injured in a wrong way car or motorcycle crash on RI or Mass. highways, roads or streets then it is imperative that you immediately retain either a Rhode Island Personal Injury Attorney or a MA Car accident Lawyer

The NTSB issued a special investigation report to examine “one of the most serious types of highway
accidents—collisions involving vehicles traveling the wrong way on high-speed divided highways.” NTSB  “A substantial body of state research, conducted primarily by state departments of transportation over decades, supports the fact that wrong-way collisions tend to have higher fatality rates than other accidents. A study in Virginia found the fatality rate for wrong-way collisions on controlled-access highways to be 27 times that of other types of accidents.This initiative involves the Department of transportation utilizing radar technology on over 2 dozen highway exit ramps. When the radar detects a motor vehicle, car or truck operating the wrong way, the system will send a text and email to the police.” Id.

Head on motor vehicle collisions are much more likely to be deadly then a rear end car accident, u-turn crash or a broadside collision. If your loved one was killed in a fatal head on crash then you need to contact a RI wrongful death attorney. According to the Projo report “DOT is also looking into the feasibility of having the information transmitted to its electronic message boards on the state’s highways to warn motorists that a wrong-way driver is headed their way.” The Rhode island Department of transportation will also add hundreds of new wrong way signs along at exit ramps (Routes 146,95,195,295) The state of RI received a 2 million grant to fund this initiative.

“Prior to Wednesday’s fatal accident on Route 146, the state has seen at least 11 serious crashes — three with fatalities — over the past three years as the result of someone driving the wrong way on a highway, according to the Rhode Island State Police.” Projo

Rhode Island Route 146 fatal head on wrong way crash:
According to a RI Government Press release: “The second crash occurred at approximately 5:23 PM as the result of a wrong way driver traveling on Route 146, northbound in the southbound lanes in the area of Route 116 in the Town of Lincoln. Prior to the crash, multiple 9-1-1 calls were received at the State Police Lincoln Woods Barracks reporting the wrong way operator. A few moments later, additional 9-1-1 calls were received reporting that the vehicle had struck a second vehicle head on which had been traveling Route 146 South in the second lane of travel, just north of the Route 116 overpass. Troopers responded to the scene and were assisted by members of the Lincoln Police and Fire Departments. The operator of the vehicle that was traveling the wrong way sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. She was identified as Marie Simone, age 89, of Warwick, Rhode Island. The operator of the second vehicle identified as Joseph Brophy, age 30, of Burrillville, Rhode Island sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he is listed in stable condition.”

1 dead, 3 injured in wrong-way crash on I-95: “Rhode Island State Police said a woman was traveling the wrong way in the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 through Pawtucket at about 3 a.m. Friday. “It’s obvious the operator wasn’t aware that they were traveling the wrong direction,” state police Lt. Robert Wall said.” Turn to 10

Legal Notice per Rules of Professional Responsibility: The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers and attorneys in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer / attorney as an expert or specialist in any field of practice. While this firm maintains joint responsibility, most cases of this type are referred to other attorneys for principle responsibility.

Head-on Collision Statistics

Head-on collisions are considered the most dangerous as these types of crashes are often fatal. A head-on crash typically occurs when one driver crosses a center lane or median and crashes into an approaching vehicle. According to Wikipedia, in 2005, head-on crashes accounted for only two percent of all accidents. However, these crashes accounted for 10 percent of all fatal accidents.

Head-on Collision Statistics

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS) reveal that 75 percent of these accidents between 1997 and 1999 occur on rural roads. These accidents also primarily occur on undivided two-lane roads. About 83 percent of head-on accidents occurred on rural, undivided roadways. Data indicates that only about 4.2 percent of all head-on crashes occurred when one driver was trying to pass another.

Some other common causes of head-on accidents in Rhode Island and Massachusetts include:
• Tire blowout
• Driving under the influence
• Loss of vehicle control
• Drowsy driving
• Distracted driving

Further information from FARS indicates that about 1.9 percent of head-on crashes occurred in construction zones.  Between 1998 and 2008, the number of head-on accidents has dropped significantly. This is likely due to a number of different factors, such as the installation of more road medians and an increase in distracted driving penalties.

Unfortunately, there is not much data on head-on accidents as a result of wrong-way drivers. In 2012, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a study on these accidents and reported that about three percent of all auto accidents are wrong-way accidents. These accidents are typically head-on collisions that occur on highways, which means they are often fatal.

Some new measures have been put into place to prevent such accidents though, including additional signage, road markers and even lights that communicate to drivers that they are entering the wrong way.

Injuries in a Head-on Accident in RI or MA
As previously noted, head-on crashes are fatal collisions in Boston Massachusetts and in Providence RI can led to life-threatening injuries. Some common injuries in these types of collisions include:

• Head trauma
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injury/paralysis
• Facial/dental damage

As these injuries may be life changing, victims in Rhode Island and Mass.will often experience mounting medical bills, lost wages due to an inability to work and mental anguish.

If you or someone you know has been hurt in a head-on accident in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. The best RI personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and can help you determine your best legal options.