a car driving past a wrong way sign oblivious

Wrong way driving

Wrong Way crashes typically occur when a motorist enters a divided highway from an off ramp and proceeds in the wrong direction. With two or more vehicles approaching each other head-on in the same lane at high speed – and with the element of surprise – crashes are difficult to avoid and almost always catastrophic. 

In Connecticut, the incidence of wrong way crashes and fatalities has risen to an alarming number, and at an alarming rate. There were more wrong-way crashes and fatalities in 2022 than the previous three years combined. In 2024, there have been as many wrong-way fatalities in the first three months as there were in all of 2023. And most are attributed to alcohol or drug impairment.

By the numbers

red wrong way sign with red lights

Between 2019-2023 there were 30 wrong way crashes

  • in 80%, the wrong way driver was killed (TOTAL 24)
  • in 33%, both drivers were killed (TOTAL 10)
  • in 30%, passengers were also killed (TOTAL 9)
  • 73% happen on interstate highways, 9 on I-95 (TOTAL 22)
  • 77% happen at night and early morning, between 8pm and 5:59am (TOTAL 23)
badly crashed silver car in front

Out of 28 wrong-way crashes with known toxicology reports

  • 86% involved BAC levels above 0.08 (16 with presence of drug(s) as well) (TOTAL 24)
  • 7% involved drug(s) and no alcohol 9.1% (TOTAL 2)
  • Only 1 crash had no known impairment reported
a car at full beam

From CTDOT spokesperson Josh Morgan

“When you look at the wrong-way driver crashes, the vast majority of those on the interstate and those that are fatal are drivers that are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Most of these drivers are at a BAC of .2% or greater so they’re not just a little drunk, they’re really drunk.” 

Drive to save lives – what we’re doing

HSO and its partners have mounted a sizable campaign to curb wrong way driving, consisting of broad-reaching public awareness messaging and added safety measures at selected highway on-ramps.

  • The One Wrong Move campaign is the first of its kind in the nation and incudes a compelling TV PSA as well as billboards, social media posts, radio PSAs and more.
  • The CTDOT is actively installing wrong way driving countermeasures. A wrong way detection pilot program features more visible signs, warning lights and systems that detect wrong way drivers and alert the driver with large flashing red signs. These measures are being installed at 16 high-risk ramp locations throughout the state.
  • Along with the pilot program, $20 million in additional state funding will help the CTDOT deploy additional wrong way countermeasures at 50 locations.

One wrong move

The nation’s first wrong way driving PSA shows people what it looks like to be behind the wheel, driving the wrong way and ultimately, being involved in a fatal crash.

80% of the wrong way driver were impaired - if you are wrong, you are dead

Drive to save lives – what you can do

Don't drive impaired

Most wrong way drivers were drunk, buzzed or high.

Look for the signs

Be extra vigilant when entering a highway on ramp. Look for Do Not Enter signs. Look twice. Look again. Make sure it’s not an off ramp before getting on.

Pull over

If you find yourself going the wrong way, pull over the side of the road immediately. Turn your car around if you have the space to do so safely. Call the police for help if it is unsafe to turn around. Do not try to make it to the next exit ramp – which would actually be an on-ramp.

Speak up

If you see a wrong way driver, call 9-1-1 immediately and alert the authorities of the location.

Stay right at Night

When driving at night, stay in the far right lane as much as possible. Wrong way drivers are more likely to be in the far left lanes – the right lanes to them.