Wrong Way Drivers (live, law, vs.)

[pvande55]

What do you think of all these wrong way driving incidents? Just this morning on the Bishop Ford a fatal accident. There have been six since December alone. I believe they used to be rare because heavy traffic would usually alert anyone going the wrong way rather quickly. But why all of a sudden are there so many? And what can be done about it. I have my ideas but let's hear yours.

[lenniel]

Originally Posted by pvande55

What do you think of all these wrong way driving incidents? Just this morning on the Bishop Ford a fatal accident. There have been six since December alone. I believe they used to be rare because heavy traffic would usually alert anyone going the wrong way rather quickly. But why all of a sudden are there so many? And what can be done about it. I have my ideas but let's hear yours.

99% of these are drunk drivers. In a city this big, that's hard to prevent because it only takes 1 moron to drink too much and get behind the wheel.

[emathias]

I don't know that it's really any more common. Short of putting those wrong-way spikes into every off-ramp, I'm not sure what else you could do that would be foolproof - and I'm not sure you can do that, because I think emergency-response vehicles occasionally need to go the wrong way on off-ramps.

[ChiGuy2.5]

I seriously dont understand people sometimes. How can you get sooo drunk that you mistake the off ramp for an on ramp. I always seem to underestimated the stupidity of people. Its a shame that usually the drunk driver lives.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

How can you get sooo drunk that you mistake the off ramp for an on ramp.

It's easy enough.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by lenniel

99% of these are drunk drivers. In a city this big, that's hard to prevent because it only takes 1 moron to drink too much and get behind the wheel.

Drunk drivers are definitely the majority, but recent incidents also include a large number of elderly and people talking on cell phones. There is no foolproof way to prevent wrong way driving, but there are ways to address the root causes. Anyone who drives the wrong way should lose their license forever.

[ofcjim40]

Pulling the license of an otherwise law abiding citizen might have an impact. But for those that don't have one or those that don't care, it won't change anything, they'll drive regardless.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by ofcjim40

But for those that don't have one or those that don't care, it won't change anything, they'll drive regardless.

Flog them. Jailing is getting too expensive because for various reasons they're so full. So bring back flogging, it's cheap and ensures a certainty of punishment; no probation, no plea bargaining, just scratch their back with the cat and cut them loose.

[prairiestate]

I think the state police should start doing their job and start stopping people for traveling the wrong way on an expressway. I suppose it's easier to just wait around until after the accident though.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

I think the state police should start doing their job and start stopping people for traveling the wrong way on an expressway. I suppose it's easier to just wait around until after the accident though.

How many state police are there vs. the number of off ramps?

Maybe we should stop blaming the police and blame the drunks that actually commit the violation.