While rear-end collisions are the most common vehicular crashes in the U.S., frontal crashes are some of the deadliest types a driver can experience. According to the National Safety Council, frontal collisions led to 5,900 deaths across America in 2021 – just over 29% of all vehicular accident fatalities that year.
Wrong-way drivers often cause frontal crashes, but a new bill passed by Connecticut legislators hopes to curb this risk.
Earlier this month, lawmakers in the state Senate unanimously approved a bill requiring Connecticut’s Department of Transportation to set up wrong-way detection and notification systems on 120 high-risk highway exit ramps. The bill also calls for a new public safety education campaign against wrong-way driving.
The bill, which had also passed the House of Representatives without opposition in May, was proposed after House representative Quentin Williams died earlier this year in a frontal crash accident with a wrong-way driver.
With approval from both the House and Senate, the bill heads to Governor Ned Lamont to sign over.
How dangerous are wrong-way crashes?
During the bill’s proposal, legislators pointed out how wrong-way crashes in Connecticut have steadily risen in recent years. In 2020 there were two wrong-way crashes in the state, which grew to four in 2021, and then 13 in 2022. Lawmakers also noted that the 13 wrong-way crashes in 2022 led to 23 deaths.
More alarming was that 2023 had 27 wrong-way crashes as of June 03, 2023, and the year hasn’t even ended yet.
Injuries from head-on wrong-way crashes
Head-on collisions often lead to severe injuries, which include:
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Chest injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
Both drivers involved in a head-on collision will surely suffer severe injuries from the accident, which can cost thousands of dollars to treat. Sufficiently strong impacts can also outright kill drivers and their passengers.
Connecticut may be taking steps to address its rising wrong-way collision risk, but there’s no guarantee that any safeguards can entirely prevent accidents from happening. If you are involved in such an accident and weren’t at fault because the other driver was the one that swerved into your lane, consider seeking compensation from the other driver. You may have to go to court if the other driver doesn’t agree to a settlement. In such cases, you might want to hire an attorney who can fight for your right to compensation.
