Finally, A Wrong-Way Driver Success Story In Connecticut

We take no pleasure in reporting the dangerous trend that has been happening throughout Connecticut where drivers are finding themselves going against traffic and getting into serious accidents on the state’s roads, but unfortunately it is a trend. However, as legislators and state safety officials have been collaborating on measures that can be taken to limit this problem that is plaguing our roads, there is some good news out of Winsted where state troopers were able to stop a vehicle traveling on the road side of the road on Rt. 8.

While there have been many measures which have been proposed and passed in the state to start to work on the problem of wrong-way drivers, this was a case where concerned citizens made all the difference. State troopers were alerted to the driver by multiple 911 calls which triggered the state police to go out and find the vehicle and help it come to a safe stop. The driver was transported to a nearby hospital where she was treated.

The good nature of concerned citizens was able to stop this wrong-way driver from getting into an accident, but it is not a good bet to rely on quick and aware citizens to protect us all from the dangers of this new trend. It is important that we all remain vigilant and do everything we can to avoid being in a situation where we are traveling the wrong way on a Connecticut roadway. Taking some safety steps you can make sure you are not one of the many who have already made this mistake in 2023.

1.) Do not travel late at night. While the above issue happened during daylight hours, many wrong-way driving incidents occur after dark and are the direct result of drowsiness or driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs which make a driver unable to make good decisions when driving her/his vehicle on to an on-ramp.

2.) Always double check the lane you’re traveling in before you get on an on-ramp to a highway. It can be confusing at some intersections how you get on or off a highway so if you’re not careful you might become one of these wrong-way drivers. If you take an extra beat and make sure you are traveling in the right direction, on the right on-ramp, you can avoid this type of incident for yourself. If you’re still unsure, do not get on the ramp, pull off to the side of the road and assess the situation before you continue on.

3.) Stay alert and focused when driving. If you are the least bit drowsy or distracted you should pull over and catch a quick nap or take care of your distraction before continuing on your way. While it may slow you down a bit, it will also keep you from getting into harm’s way while driving the wrong-way on a highway when you can put yourself or others at risk of an accident.

Wrong-way accidents are happening all over the state of Connecticut and they are a serious problem. While there have not been a major amount of New Haven auto accidents reported that are wrong-way incidents, it continues to be a problem on all major highways throughout the state. If you do happen to see someone coming the wrong-way down the road you should immediately pull over to the side of the road and call 911 so the police can take care of the issue. NEVER try to handle it yourself, in that case you are just asking for trouble.

If you get injured in a situation where there was a wrong-way driver or any other type of accident you may need to speak with an attorney who can review your situation and work with to protect your long-term interests. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will work to understand your particular situation.