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ADOT Claims New Wrong-Way System is Saving Lives

A new safety system intended to mitigate the risk of collisions by wrong-way drivers has kept more than a dozen vehicles from entering the highway in the wrong direction, said the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The pilot project was constructed along Interstate 17 in Phoenix and uses a thermal camera detection system that triggers large flashing red lights, as well as “Wrong Way” signs, when a car enters the feeder road traveling in the wrong direction. 

According to ADOT, “Two out of three wrong-way crashes are caused by impaired drivers and often these drivers have blood-alcohol levels more than twice the legal limit. This public safety issue will not be solved by only engineering and enforcement. We all need to work to keep impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel.”


Arizona highway officials said there have been 24 wrong-way collisions so far in 2018. Last year, the Department of Public safety claimed that they fielded more than 1,500 calls about wrong-way drivers on Arizona roadways.

The warning system is a part of ADOT’s “Drive Aware, Get There” campaign, which was launched last year. About the campaign, Governor Ducey remarked, “From the deployment of thermal camera detection technology to vigilant law enforcement efforts, Arizona is taking action to address wrong-way driving. This public awareness effort will provide drivers with information to increase their safety when driving at night and understand what to do in the event of an encounter with a wrong-way driver.” 

If you see a wrong-way driver, ADOT recommends that you steer clear of them, make sure you drive defensively, and call 911 to report the hazardous vehicle.