Wrong Way drivers in Phoenix (crimes, dangerous, moving)

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by hikernut

Certainly something should be done. Alerting other drivers seems like a good idea, giving people a chance to exit the highway. I'm doubtful the flashing warning signs will have any impact, though.

Change the traffic flow to require semis to drive in the car pool lanes from midnight until 4 am. There is a better chance that any wrong ways get what they have coming to them.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by hikernut

Certainly something should be done. Alerting other drivers seems like a good idea, giving people a chance to exit the highway. I'm doubtful the flashing warning signs will have any impact, though.

I read where Missouri, I think, greatly reduced the number of wrong ways by lowering the wrong way signs to down near ground level. Apparently drunk drivers focus on what is right in front of them.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by GSR13

ADOT ought to invest in those wrong-way spokes you see in parking garages.

This is suggested and explained away not less than 5 other times in this thread and every time this happens.

ADOTs official stance is that the spikes are not durable enough because of the constant traffic flow and varying vehicle sizes (semis, tractors, etc.)

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

This is suggested and explained away not less than 5 other times in this thread and every time this happens.

ADOTs official stance is that the spikes are not durable enough because of the constant traffic flow and varying vehicle sizes (semis, tractors, etc.)

And emergency vehicles use the ramps to access the freeway the wrong way

[AZgarden]

My dumb idea is some sort of a motion activated gate that would not allow the idiots to go into the free way the wrong way but would allow others to exit without problem. It would have to ZIP closed really fast for the enterers and ZIP open for the exiters. That's all I came up with.

[ElleTea]

The toxicology test came back for the wrong way driver that killed himself and 2 sisters back in April. His blood alcohol level was .25

Quote:

He was driving 15 mph above the speed limit and without headlights, and minutes before the crash, he almost hit another car while driving the wrong way on an exit ramp, according to an Arizona Department of Public Safety report.

Report: Wrong-way driver who killed 2 sisters, self had high BAC level

[observer53]

Originally Posted by lewdog_5

They seem to happen much more frequently on the east side of town compared to the West Valley freeways. Just more traffic and more confusing on/off ramps on that side of town I guess?

Well, several have been on the 17 in Phoenix, which has straightforward on and off ramps (so does the 101 in Scottsdale for the most part, too). The west side portion of the 10 has seen one or two as well.

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by PhxBarb

My dumb idea is some sort of a motion activated gate that would not allow the idiots to go into the free way the wrong way but would allow others to exit without problem. It would have to ZIP closed really fast for the enterers and ZIP open for the exiters. That's all I came up with.

My take is that the errant vehicle really needs to be stopped. It is admittedly a tall order, but I'm skeptical that any of the other remedies proposed would be very effective.

[GSR13]

How about using drones to shoot out the tires of these bastards? I'm generally against using drones for police work, but this could be a good use of them.

[WinthorpeRoyce]

Unfortunately the wrong-way driver is yet another signal of the burgeoning idiocracy.

Sadly, even if we can get wrong-ways controlled, the median declining-IQ will simply stumble upon another way to hurt themselves and others.

I weep for future generations.