The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is concerned about the culture of dangerous driving on Wisconsin’s roads, including preventable behaviors that contribute to an unacceptable number of crashes and deaths, including wrong-way driving crashes. 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 incident reports, law enforcement crash reports, and existing safety infrastructure to understand trends and identify possible solutions. Fatal and severe 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:
- Improved signs with retroreflective strips added to enhance visibility
- Detection systems with camera confirmation
- Dotted markings on pavement to show turning path for vehicles
- Signs placed in medians at some side-by-side ramps
In 2024, an internal task force of subject matter experts 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.
There are currently 20 wrong-way driver alert systems in Milwaukee County. WisDOT staff have identified locations for 10 additional wrong-way driver alert systems across Wisconsin and plan to begin installing the equipment in August 2025. These alert systems are being placed at locations where data show history and potential for wrong-way driving crashes.
WisDOT is taking these steps with the intent to reduce the number of wrong way driving incidents on our roads but we cannot address this issue alone. Drivers must do their part to drive sober, put down their phone, pay attention to the road ahead and not drive recklessly.
Contact
Brian Porter, P.E.
WisDOT Traffic Engineering and Safety Section Chief
(608) 267-0452