RIDOT installs wrong-way detection systems at 24 locations

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 4/30/15

Rhode Island roads may be a little safer now that new wrong-way driving detection systems have been installed and activated in 24 locations across the state by the Department of Transportation. …

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RIDOT installs wrong-way detection systems at 24 locations

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Rhode Island roads may be a little safer now that new wrong-way driving detection systems have been installed and activated in 24 locations across the state by the Department of Transportation.

Wrong-way drivers cause a small percentage of crashes annually, but accidents involving a wrong way driver are more likely to end in fatalities.

In Rhode Island, there have been 10 wrong-way crashes since 2008 causing 13 deaths. Nationally, 360 people die each year in these crashes.

To hopefully prevent these crashes, the new systems will recognize a wrong way driver and notify the driver, other drivers and the police,

Once a driver is detected by the system as having entered a highway off-ramp, flashing signs will be set off in attempts to capture the driver’s attention.

The police will also be alerted of the dangerous situation and receive a picture of the vehicle,

Other motorists will be notified by an overhead electronic message in the area.

The detection system, a $1.8 million program to curb wrong way crashes, was modeled after a system in San Antonio, Texas.

In Texas, 29 signs were placed along their major highways and within a year the state saw a 30 percent decrease in wrong-way driving accidents.

For a press release, Governor Gina Raimondo said too many have lost their lives due to wrong-way driving and these drivers pose a huge risk to every other driver.

“The innovative approach we are taking with the introduction of these systems statewide is a critical step forward in our ability to keep people safe in their travels around Rhode Island,” she said.

Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and commissioner of the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety, said in the press release that the systems are a good step toward reducing the fatalities that often come with wrong-way driving crashes and said that the “message continues to be do not consume alcohol and operate a motor vehicle,” as the best way to prevent accidents.

Peter Alviti Jr., director of RIDOT, said public safety is the department’s number one priority and the wrong-way driving initiative is just one example of that commitment.

He said the state needs to continue innovating new ways to keep motorists safe and educate them on the “risky and criminal behaviors” associated with wrong-way accidents.

“By working together, we can make our roads safer, and all get home to our families at night,” Alviti said.

In Warwick, there are systems on the off-ramps at Exit 15 Jefferson Blvd, north and southbound.

In Johnston, a system was installed on Route 6 westbound Atwood Avenue.

Four Cranston systems were implemented on Route 10 northbound at Reservoir Avenue and Niantic Avenue.

Along with the 24 advanced systems, RIDOT has also upgraded the signs and striping in 145 locations. Additional systems will be installed in a future phase of the project.

For more information on the wrong-way detection systems, including a map of locations, visit www.dot.ri.gov/wrongway.

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