It is difficult to imagine a scenario more terrifying than witnessing another motorist barreling at you in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, these wrong-way accidents are far too common, and they are nearly universally the result of a very serious degree of driver negligence. Accidents involving vehicles that are traveling in the wrong direction are some of the most dangerous accidents going.
Wrong-Way Accidents Are More Common than You Might Think
If you think that accidents involving wrong-way drivers are a rare occurrence, you may want to think again. In fact, you do not have to look too far back to find a fatal wrong-way accident report in the State of Texas. For example, a Texas NBC online news source shares that on the evening of Thursday, March 11, 2021, a woman who was traveling the wrong direction on US 190 near Heidenheimer was killed, and another man was injured in the head-on accident that ensued. The police had received a 911 call prior to the crash reporting a sedan that was traveling west in an eastbound lane. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and the injured man was rushed to the hospital with incapacitating injuries. Unfortunately, wrong-way accidents are all too real.
The Driver Negligence Involved
While you may think that the level of negligence necessary to drive the wrong way down an interstate, highway, road, or street must be astronomical, the fact is that any of the following forms of negligence is likely to suffice:
Impairment – When a motorist is impaired by drugs or alcohol, he or she can experience a decrease in inhibitions, impaired focus, diminished bodily control, and lack of judgment (all of which can cause or contribute to a wrong-way crash).
Distraction – In order to drive safely, motorists must shoulder considerable responsibilities that include paying strict attention to the road and traffic ahead. When a motorist is distracted by anything else, disaster can ensue, including traveling in the opposite direction of what is intended.
Exhaustion – Drowsy drivers can be as impaired by exhaustion as drunk drivers are by alcohol. Drowsy driving can lead to life-threatening wrong-way crashes.
Excess Speed – When motorists fail to drive at a speed that is safe for the situation at hand, they do not allow themselves the time that is necessary to make safe driving decisions as the need arises. This carelessness can cause deadly wrong-way accidents.