Wrong-way driving
Driving a motor vehicle against the direction of traffic / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wrong-way driving (WWD), also known as contraflow driving, is the act of driving a motor vehicle against the direction of traffic. It can occur on either one- or two-way roads, as well as in parking lots and parking garages, and may be due to driver inattention or impairment, or because of insufficient or confusing road markings or signage,[1] or a driver from a right-hand traffic country being unaccustomed to driving in a left-hand traffic country (see Left- and right-hand traffic), and vice versa. People intentionally drive in the wrong direction because they missed an exit, for thrill-seeking, or as a shortcut.[2]
The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (October 2016) |
Wrong-way driving is particularly dangerous on a divided highway, especially a freeway; the higher speeds typical of such roads mean that wrong-way driving invariably leads to a head-on collision.[3] In the United States, about 355 people are killed each year in crashes caused by drivers headed in the wrong direction on the highway.[4][5] Given an average of 265 fatal WWD crashes, 1.34 fatalities per WWD fatal crash can be calculated. The significance of these kind of crashes is corroborated when this number is compared to the fatalities per fatal crash rate of 1.10 for all other crash types, which translates to 24 more fatalities per 100 fatal crashes for WWD crashes than for fatal crashes in general.[6] Most drivers who enter a divided highway or ramp in the wrong direction correct themselves by turning around.[5]
Depending on the jurisdiction, WWD is a punishable offense. In New Zealand, WWD is counted as careless driving and can result in up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to NZ$10,000.[citation needed]