Wrong-Way Driving Dangers

*To take the corresponding CDE quiz, visit the College of Emergency Dispatch.*

You may have noticed the red flashing signs dotting the highway, seemingly screaming “wrong way” for drivers headed against the flow of traffic. In an effort to prevent wrong-way incidents, some cities have modified road designs or installed detection systems that warn other drivers with electronic signs, take a photo of the wrong-way vehicle, and notify police if the errant driver doesn’t immediately correct their course.¹

Though wrong-way incidents only account for 3.7% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, wrong-way incidents are more often fatal because they result in head-on collisions, sometimes at high speeds.² For the Emergency Police Dispatcher (EPD), these incidents represent a crucial event where the moving subject is facing and creating new threats with each passing moment.

Wrong-way research
You’re more likely to encounter wrong-way incidents on the news than on the roadway; however, the United States saw a concerning 34% increase in wrong-way collisions between 2015 and 2018, with an average of 500 deaths a year. These fatalities included 52.8% of wrong-way drivers, 5.7% of their passengers, and 41.1% of occupants in other vehicles.³

Between 2019 and 2023, an average of three deadly wrong-way collisions occurred every day in the United States.⁴ Though collisions and fatalities are well documented, it’s impossible to study occurrences of wrong-way drivers that correct their path without collision, leaving potential chaos in their wake.

Data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows common underlying factors in the majority of wrong-way incidents. For instance, most wrong-way driving incidents happen on weekends and at night. This may be due in part to the primary factor of alcohol. Over 60% of wrong-way accidents are the result of an intoxicated driver, with impairment from drug use also a likely culprit.⁵

Many motorists indicate a problem with the visibility and clarity of roadway signs (especially in inclement weather), with complaints about the size and location of signs, leading to dangerous confusion.

Age is also a factor, as data shows drivers age 70 and older and young populations with less driving experience have a higher number of wrong-way incidents. Passengers in these cases can be an asset to warn the driver before taking a wrong turn, preventing their maneuver into oncoming traffic.⁶

In the last year, several wrong-way incidents have been reported across the nation. Brief details of these varying situations help illustrate the concern behind these events:

• In July 2025, an 86-year-old driver was officially arrested for DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and driving with a revoked license when he drove the wrong way on Interstate 75 in Cape Coral, Florida (USA), colliding with another car driven by a 56-yearold woman who later died.⁷

• In August 2025, a Denver, Colorado (USA), man in a black Mercedes drove at 102 mph, heading the wrong way on a major highway twice while pursued by state troopers. The driver was eventually arrested for reckless endangerment and driving under the influence.⁸

• In November 2025, A 27-year-old New York (USA) woman planning her wedding was hit and killed while crossing the street just after 8:30 a.m. on a Thursday. Those near the incident said the street had frequent wrong-way issues due to a lack of signage.⁹

Though the likelihood of receiving a wrong-way emergency call isn’t high, the experienced EPD knows to prepare for high-acuity incidents regardless of their frequency. Lives can be lost in a few seconds of misdirection on the highway. Understanding the potential impact of wrong-way collisions can help you arrange help and guide the caller through perilous conditions.

PPDS adaptations
The Police Priority Dispatch System^™ (PPDS^®) v7.1.59 introduced additions to Protocol 132: Traffic Violation/Complaint/ Hazard to handle wrong-way incidents based off a submitted Proposal for Change.

Previously, the Corpus Christi (Texas, USA) Police Department identified that the Key Questions on Protocol 132 led the caller through what was typically a 53-second interrogation before reaching Determinant Code 132-C-1 “SERIOUS TRAFFIC VIOLATION/COMPLAINT.” This reported time frame assumed the caller remained calm and focused in order to provide an accurate location and description of the incident, but this interrogation length failed to prioritize the immediacy of the event.

Another issue was the apparent overuse of the broad 132-C-1 Determinant Code, losing the specificity for which the PPDS typically aims.

Carrie Flynn, IAED^™ Police Standards Council Chair since 2023, said the decision was clear from the beginning. “As soon as the council had a conversation about this, we knew we wanted to prioritize a quick send point right away,” she said. “We needed a specific pathway for that to happen, separate from ‘reckless drivers,’ because these incidents introduce more significant danger. Ultimately, we hope to save lives by stopping someone as fast as we can to prevent a horrific outcome.”

The Police Council of Standards determined it was clear that a caller reporting a wrong-way driver would be better served with the Fast Track, allowing the EPD to gather Description Essentials for the vehicle with an immediate send point, similar to the CADE Tool. This change enabled EPDs to broadcast crucial information to officers earlier, addressing the immediate life and safety threat of a wrong-way driver dodging oncoming vehicles.

The resulting changes to Protocol 132 now include a new Determinant Code (132-D-2 “Wrong way travel”) and a Key Question sequence for wrong-way travel, separating the interrogation and response for a fundamentally different type of incident. As an added advantage, this delineation allows EPD agencies to assign a distinct response package for their service area, strategizing based off available resources and local policies.

“With these changes, EPDs are still gathering information, but they’re notifying responders earlier,” Flynn said.

After sending responders, EPDs need to ensure the vehicle description is fully documented and determine the caller’s proximity to the vehicle, the direction of travel, the number of occupants in the vehicle (a Jurisdictionally Approved Question (JAQ)), and any updates on the current location. “Since this is a moving event, updates are beneficial,” Flynn said.

Conclusion
When it comes to strategizing in the face of immediate threats, the EPD must recognize the importance of their role: sending responders and updating information as the event progresses. Due to the speed and potential impact of wrong-way driving situations, concise, focused communication is critical. The PPDS provides a clear pathway for preparing responders and callers to calmly eliminate risks when misdirection and ensuing chaos hit the roadway. 
 

Sources
1. Kitch, A., Geoly, M. “Driving in the Right Direction: State Efforts to Combat Wrong-Way Driving.” National Conference of State Legislatures. 2023; June 26. ncsl.org/transportation/driving-in-the-right-direction-state-efforts-to-combat-wrong-way-driving (accessed Nov. 24, 2025).

2. See note 1.

3. See note 1.

4. “A State-by-State Analysis of Fatal Wrong-Way Driving Crashes.” Firm News. Wawi Tijerina Law. 2025; Sept. 29. wawitijerinalaw.com/firm-news/fatal-wrong-way-driving-crash-study (accessed Nov. 24, 2025).

5. “Factors that Contribute to Wrong-Way Driving.” Monaco Law PC. 2025. josephmonacotriallawyer.com/injury-blog/factors-that-contribute-to-wrong-way-driving (accessed Nov. 24, 2025).

6. See note 5.

7. Courtney, A. “86-year-old Cape Coral man arrested and facing charges in deadly 2024 wrong-way crash.” Gulf Coast ABC. 2025; July 30. gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/86-year-old-man-arrested-homicide-dui-crash-i-75-cape-coral/65550229 (accessed Nov. 24, 2025).

8. McKee, S. “Driver clocked at 102 MPH allegedly drove wrong-way on I-25 twice before capture.” The Denver Gazette. 2025; Aug. 28. denvergazette.com/2025/08/28/driver-clocked-at-102-mph-allegedly-drove-wrong-way-on-i-25-twice-before-capture-b3378d9c-a69d-4d89-9ea2-bf90710abace/ (accessed Nov. 24, 2025).

9. Saunders, A. “27-Year-Old Woman Killed by Wrong- Way Driver While Crossing the Street in New York City: Report.” People. 2025; Nov. 8. people.com/woman-killed-by-wrong-way-driver-was-27-year-old-planning-her-wedding-report-11846293 (accessed Nov. 24, 2025).