On Sunday morning, a passenger car collided with a tanker truck while driving the wrong way on Interstate 275. Three people were killed as a result of the crash. This is one of four accidents that have occurred on the same stretch of highway in Tampa. State officials are looking for ways to minimize the likelihood that more drivers will end up in fatal accidents on the wrong side of the road.
Technology designed to redirect confused drivers will be implemented throughout Florida, including on Highway 10 near Tallahassee and on Broward County's Sawgrass Expressway. In Tallahassee, these renovations will include the placement of new signs, roadway markings, and an LED "wrong way" light that will turn on when drivers have taken a ramp the wrong way.
DUI & Roadway Safety
These high-risk accidents are often caused by drivers who have been drinking and driving. An NTSB special investigation from 2012 indicates that nearly 60% of drivers in wrong-way accidents had been driving with twice the legal blood alcohol levels.
While adding more signs to freeway ramps may not curb drinking and driving tendencies, it is an effective means of protecting drivers from fatal roadway accidents. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, similar safety measures applied in San Antonio, Texas, have led to a 30% decrease in accidents caused by driving on the wrong side of the road.
In an accident? Contact our firm!
If you have been injured on the road due to another's negligence, Smith & Stallworth, Attorneys at Law can offer the compassionate legal aid you need. For a total of over 30 years, the Tampa personal injury attorneys at our firm have offered quality representation for accident victims, helping them seek the compensation they deserve. Contact our firm to learn more about our contingency fee service, or to schedule a free consultation.