There are 400 deaths across the country each year from wrong-way crashes.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — On Monday, 2 On Your Side learned that 26-year-old Grant Beyer of Williamsville was killed Sunday night in a wrong-way crash. The crash tied up traffic on the 33 expressway.
Tragically it is another grim reminder of the deadly situation on highways.
Buffalo Police say Beyer was at the wheel of the Nissan Altima which was moving west in the eastbound lane of the highway coming out of the city about 9:30 Sunday evening when it struck a pickup truck near the Grider Street exit.
The other two individuals in the pickup truck were taken to ECMC with what police say were non-life-threatening injuries.
Sadly there have been other wrong-way crashes in our area.
Two weeks ago on the Skyway near the Ohio Street exit, a 4-year-old boy was among the three people injured as a vehicle flipped due to impact.
In July there was another wrong-way crash on the 33. Fortunately, those involved survived.
NBC News reports that about 400 people die each year in such wrong-way crashes as drivers have little chance or time to react.
That’s why some states notably Connecticut, Arizona, Washington, Texas, and Florida have done quite a bit of research on wrong-way crashes.
They have even utilized sensors and surveillance cameras to activate flashing warning signs. In some cases, rumble strips have been installed which may cause a driver to think there is a flat tire if he or she is driving the wrong way. Those systems may also warn police to stop drivers going the wrong way. There is even an experiment using cell phones and location technology to warn drivers of an oncoming wrong-way vehicle. They would be similar to Amber Alerts and the IPAWS or Integrated Public Alert and Warning System system operated by FEMA.
As for the state of New York DOT., a spokesman previously said, “All our roadways meet or exceed state and federal standards for signage to deter wrong-way driving, and additional signage is installed at the entrance to Route 33 from Genesee Street in Cheektowaga. We are constantly looking into new measures to enhance safety where applicable, including the use of technology. However, safety is everyone’s responsibility, and what we find is that impaired driving is directly attributable to many wrong-way driving accidents. While we will continue to do our part to ensure the safety of our roadways, we urge all motorists to obey the rules of the road, drive responsibly, and remain alert.”
The DOT also indicates there was a statewide evaluation in 2022 to review the wrong-way crash with additional signs and pavement markings. But again there were no specifics on whether any technology or techniques like those used by other states were reviewed or considered.
2 On Your Side also reached out to regional members of our state legislature who sit on the State Senate or Assembly Transportation Committees to ask if wrong-way crashes have ever been discussed but so far there has been no response.
It is correct that the majority of wrong-way crashes involve impaired drivers with the use of alcohol or drugs. That is why there are also periodic calls for a reduction in the state’s BAC intoxication level but so far they have not brought about changes.
This post was originally published on here
