Wrong Way on a High Way Leads to Death

Last week's deadly head-on wreck on I-95 resulted from a car driving in the wrong direction, the Florida Highway Patrol said today.

A silver 2003 BMW was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of I-95 at Commercial Boulevard about 4:18 a.m. Friday, according to the FHP. The BMW collided with a white 2005 Ford van, killing Aracely Mendoza, 23, of Miami, who was a passenger in the van."

Physical evidence at the scene and independent witness accounts confirm the 2003 BMW was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes," said FHP Lt. Gene Hingson. The wreck shredded the entire front half of the BMW and tore into the front passenger side of the van.

Now here is something you may not know, that I as a traffic judge did not even realize. Because how can you go the wrong way on a highway? How do you get on an off ramp, or go south in northbound lanes? The markers seem so good, so clear, but maybe they need to be better. Here is why:

Highway accidents caused by a driver going the wrong way are not rare, even on well-traveled, well-lit highways. A Sun Sentinel analysis of accident data found there were 166 fatal wrong-way crashes on divided highways in Florida from 2002 to 2007.

At least 212 people were killed in those crashes and another 250 injured. Had no idea it was so many so often. Maybe that should tell us DOT needs better directions for getting on and off ramps, wouldn't you say?