Have you ever seen a car going the wrong direction down the interstate? Maybe you were driving in the right lane when someone suddenly sped past you in the left-hand lane, their headlights flashing by in the night as the two of you passed at a combined speed of 140 mph. It can be a jarring experience, as you realize just how close you were to a serious accident.
You may also find yourself wondering how it could’ve happened in the first place. Especially on the interstate, traffic is heavily regulated. It’s not as if the driver simply turned the wrong way down a one-way city street. They had to take the wrong ramp, passing numerous “Wrong Way” signs, before entering the opposite side of the highway.
The role of impairment
What studies have found is that these drivers are often impaired by alcohol. Some may also be under the influence of other substances, such as marijuana or prescription drugs. It could be a combination. For example, someone taking a certain medication may become highly intoxicated after only one drink due to the interaction between the two substances.
No matter how the impairment occurs, it’s typically what causes such a significant error. These drivers may not even realize they’re going the wrong direction. It’s not something they do intentionally. Rather, their mental confusion leads to a severe and negligent mistake.
To make matters worse, these accidents often take place at high speeds, which dramatically increases the likelihood of catastrophic injuries. If you’ve been hurt or lost a loved one in one of these crashes, be sure you understand what legal options are available to you.
