Wrong-way driving is a highly dangerous, deadly and mostly preventable issue throughout the country. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is taking steps to reduce the number of wrong-way driving incidents on Wisconsin highways through engineering, technology and public education. Many factors can contribute to a wrong-way driving crash, such as impaired driving, distracted driving, unfamiliarity with a road, driver confusion and more.
WisDOT staff review law enforcement incident reports, crash reports, and existing safety infrastructure to understand trends and identify possible solutions. Fatal and serious injury crash trends are discussed with law enforcement and first responders at quarterly traffic safety commission meetings hosted in each county throughout the state. “Wrong Way” and “Do Not Enter” signs are installed at all freeway service interchange ramps to alert drivers entering the freeway in the wrong direction.
WisDOT continues to monitor incident and crash data to address locations with known wrong way driving incidents. Infrastructure improvements include:
- Improved signs with retroreflective strips added to enhance visibility
- Detection systems with camera confirmation
- Dashed pavement markings to guide turning vehicles into the correct lane
- Signs placed in medians at some side-by-side ramps
In 2024, an internal task force was created to reflect on current efforts and advise department leadership on an approach and potential additional countermeasures. The task force continually evaluates national research and best practices on the effectiveness of wrong-way driving countermeasures to determine the best strategies for reducing wrong way incidents and crashes.
Enhanced signage is being installed across the state at intersections on high-speed divided highways that have a higher potential for wrong way incidents.
WisDOT staff analyzed data to select 10 additional locations to install wrong-way driver alert systems at intersections susceptible to wrong-way driving issues in the Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau areas. Those 10 wrong-way driver alert systems are in addition to the existing 20 wrong way driver alert systems on Wisconsin highways. These alert systems are being placed at locations where data shows a history and potential for wrong-way drivers.
WisDOT is taking these steps to reduce the number of wrong way driving incidents on our roads but we cannot address this issue alone. Drivers must do their part by driving sober, putting down phones, paying attention to the road ahead and maintaining safe speeds.
Wrong-way driving: what you need to know
If you suspect you are driving the wrong way on a road – or you approach a wrong way sign or a flashing alert system:
- Stop immediately.
- Pull over to the side of the road and turn on the hazard lights.
- Wait for a safe gap in traffic.
- Turn around when it is safe to do so.
If you encounter a vehicle going the wrong way on a road:
- Use caution and reduce your speed.
- Safely move your vehicle to an area of the road away from the wrong-way vehicle
- Call 911 and report the location of the wrong-way driver.
- WisDOT can activate available traffic cameras along state highways to view wrong-way drivers if they are reported or detected. Available dynamic message signs are also used to warn other motorists on that section of highway.
Contact
Brian Porter, P.E.
WisDOT Traffic Engineering and Safety Section Chief
(608) 267-0452
brian.porter@dot.wi.gov