Since the beginning of the Interstate highway system in the 1950s, crashes related to driving the wrong way on freeways have challenged transportation officials. According to FHWA,

 

in the United States, wrong way driving (WWD) crashes result in 300 to 400 people killed each year on average, representing approximately 1 percent of the total number of traffic related fatalities that occur annually. While this is a small percentage overall, because WWD crashes involve head-on or opposite direction sideswipe crashes at high speeds, they tend to be relatively more severe than other types of crashes.

 

There are many strategies and treatments that agencies can consider for implementation that are designed to address wrong-way maneuvers, ranging from geometric design elements, to conventional traffic control devices, to various Intelligent Training Systems (ITS) based solutions. In addition, new, more advanced technologies are entering the market place and need to be evaluated and included in an overall approach to the problem. The development and compilation of clear guidance would foster a more systematic and uniform installation of roadway geometries, signs, striping, and technology, as would a more uniform method for monitoring, measuring, and reporting the effectiveness of these installations.