MoDOT’s quest to reduce numbers of wrong-way car accidents

Missouri residents may share the concern of many about the number of accidents that involve wrong-way drivers. A particular section of I-44 seems to present the biggest problem. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) reported that five of the 25 wrong-way accidents that occurred on I-44 during the past eight years were fatal. Disabling injuries were suffered in four others, and although people may associate wrong-way car accidents with drunk drivers, only three of the 25 crashes were positively connected to drugs or alcohol impairment.

In October, MoDOT announced a plan of action in a quest to lower the number of accidents that are caused by drivers traveling in the wrong direction. The strategy includes signs that will be installed on the I-44 ramps that have proved to be more hazardous. The signs are solar-powered and will detect any vehicles that enter a ramp in the wrong direction. As soon as a vehicle enters a ramp in the wrong direction, the signs will start flashing to alert the driver. In addition, law enforcement officers will be notified about the potentially dangerous situation.

During the same time, a group of private individuals also initiated a petition for action after the death of a friend and colleague who lost her life in a car accident. The collision, on eastbound I-44, occurred when a wrong-way driver smashed head-on into the woman’s car on October 11. She suffered critical injuries and was rushed to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries two days later.

Residents of Missouri who have suffered injuries — or lost loved ones — in car accidents that were caused by the negligence of other parties may want to explore the options available to pursue the recovery of damages. Injured victims may be entitled to file personal injury claims, and the surviving families of those who lost their lives may file wrongful death claims. A successful claim will require sufficient evidence of alleged negligence and may result in a court awarding monetary compensation to cover medical and end-of-life expenses. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, additional damages may be awarded as deemed just by state laws.

Source: newsmagazinenetwork.com, “MoDOT, private group seek to prevent wrong-way collisions”, Dan Fox, Nov. 5, 2014