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NTTA Takes Action to Address Wrong-Way Drivers In an attempt to further curtail the recent spate of wrong-way driver accidents on the Dallas North Tollway, the NTTA has fitted all exit ramps on the Dallas North Tollway with reflective buttons in the shape of arrows. When approaching from the correct direction, motorists will notice white buttons that point in the direction they are currently driving. However, if a driver is going the wrong way, the buttons will reflect red and the arrow will point in the opposite direction.
Reflective buttons were identified by the wrong-way driver task force as an immediate measure the NTTA could take to address the issue of wrong-way drivers on the Tollway. The task force continues to analyze a variety of measures to address the issue and is expected to present a report with recommendations to the NTTA Board of Directors.
“Each one of these tragic incidents weighs heavily on the NTTA staff,” said NTTA Executive Director Allen Clemson. “While drugs and/or alcohol have been involved in the majority of these accidents, preventing wrong-way drivers is a top priority, and we are committed to do everything we can to make sure our roads are as safe as possible.”
Safety is and has always been paramount at NTTA, as evidenced by the measures already undertaken to prevent wrong-way driver situations:
- Working closely with DPS and local police to increase patrols during late-night hours, holiday weekends or other periods when drunk driving is likely.
- Installing additional “Wrong Way” and “Do Not Enter” signs.
- Adding one-way pavement markers at the south end of the Dallas North Tollway.
- Using our current intelligent transportation system of more than 1,000 cameras, pavement sensors and large messaging signs to ensure the safety of our motorists.
We are examining all options, including wrong-way driver sensing technology, to address the issue caused by drunk drivers. Roadway spikes, which many customers have suggested we use, are not an option because of the faster speeds that occur on a tollway compared to a parking garage or other location where cars travel slowly. (For additional information, you can review the “Highway Safety Desk Book,” published by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The entire report is available at www.nhtsa.dot.gov (see pages 233-238).
The NTTA is also reaching out to motorists and organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving to make a simple and life saving request: Don’t drink and drive, and don’t let friends drink and drive. We also would like to ask our motorists to be our extra eyes and ears on the roadway by calling 911 if they see a wrong-way driver and by letting us know if they see signs that need to be repaired.
Again, your safety is paramount at the NTTA. We realize you have a choice to use our roadways, and we will continue to put your safety first in all we do.
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