Two tragic wrong‑way crashes this week have renewed calls for decisive action on Arizona’s highways. A 7‑year‑old girl died after a collision at 18th Street and Washington Street near downtown Phoenix, and a 27‑year‑old woman was killed on Loop 303 in Surprise. Both incidents involved drivers traveling against traffic, a pattern that officials say has claimed many lives.
State response and proposed solutions
Jesse Torrez, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, emphasized that every life lost is a preventable tragedy. He noted that the state is reviewing successful strategies from other jurisdictions and working closely with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) on infrastructure improvements, especially enhanced signage at freeway on‑ramps.
“It’s going to take a three‑pronged effect with getting law enforcement involved to get out there and do patrols,” Torrez said. He added that increased patrols are the most impactful step the department can take right now.
Data on wrong‑way incidents
So far this year, the Arizona Department of Public Safety has logged 979 reports of wrong‑way drivers, with 77 of those drivers also impaired. Torrez explained that the combination of impairment and speed creates a “recipe for disaster,” especially on interstates and state routes.
While most wrong‑way crashes involve drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, some cases involve confused elderly drivers or individuals experiencing mental‑health episodes. Torrez likened the force of a wrong‑way impact to dropping a car from a five‑story building, underscoring the severe injuries such collisions can cause.
Existing safety measures
Since 2018, ADOT has deployed thermal cameras to detect wrong‑way drivers on Valley freeways and installed larger, more visible wrong‑way signs at on‑ramps. Despite these efforts, officials believe that additional law‑enforcement patrols are essential to further reduce the danger.
“Every Arizonan deserves to go home safe,” Torrez affirmed, urging continued collaboration among state agencies, local law‑enforcement and community partners to protect motorists.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
