When driving at night, stay right says DHSMV

Most fatal wrong way driving crashes occur in the center or left-hand lane

Miami, FL – DHSMV encourages drivers to “Stay Right at Night“. to avoid being in a wrong way driving crash.

Driver safety and education are paramount at DHSMV and data shows that on Florida’s roadways, wrong way fatalities continue to increase each year, said DHSMV Executive Director Terry Rhodes.

Wrong way crashes are high impact crashes, which means drivers and passengers involved are occasionally injured, if not killed. Motorists are encouraged to stay in the right lane, especially at night, and always pay attention to posted street signs to avoid becoming a wrong way driver themselves.

In the majority of wrong way crashes, vehicles are hit head-on, resulting in 81% of all wrong way fatalities. Head-on collisions are some of the most dangerous and deadly crashes. In Florida, the number of wrong way crashes reached 1,490 in 2015, resulting in 1,454 injuries and 96 fatalities. (Source: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles preliminary data as of June 30, 2016)

“Wrong-way collisions are dangerous and often deadly, and driver education is critical to lowering the number of these incidents in our state,” said Winter Park Police Chief Brett Railey, President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association. “Our chiefs encourage Florida drivers to eliminate distractions when they get behind the wheel so their entire focus is on their driving. This will help us better protect everyone on the road.”

DHSMV offers the following safety tips to avoid wrong way driving crashes:

• Stay Right at Night to avoid crashes with wrong way drivers.
• Call 911 immediately to report wrong way drivers. If a motorist sees a wrong way driver approaching, immediately reduce your speed and pull off the roadway.
• Learn and obey all traffic signs. If a motorist drives past a wrong way sign, turn around as soon as it’s safe to do so.
• Look for FDOT dynamic messaging signs for wrong way driver alerts.
• When a motorist sees a posted red sign, think: “Stop.” “Do Not Enter.” “Wrong Way.”
• Stay alert – do not drive distracted or impaired.

FDOT Secretary Boxold said, “Safety on our roads is top priority at FDOT. Partnerships with law enforcement are critical to reducing fatalities and injuries from wrong way crashes. We remind motorists to always drive sober and stay alert.”

Visit the DHSMV’s website https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/wrong-way-driving/for more information and use the hashtag #StayRightatNight throughout the month to add and share important wrong way driving safety information.