The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is urging drivers to stay alert and make safe choices behind the wheel as dangerous driving behaviors continue to be an issue on Wisconsin roads. Preventable behaviors, including wrong-way driving, contribute to an unacceptable number of crashes and deaths. Many factors can contribute to a wrong-way driving crash, such as impairment, distractions, unfamiliarity with a road, driver confusion and more. So far this year, more than 700 verified wrong-way drivers have been detected or reported to WisDOT by Wisconsin law enforcement agencies and over 250 confirmed through wrong-way alert systems.
“Wrong-way driving crashes are almost always preventable and the unfortunate consequences of driver behavior can have lasting impacts,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “We continue to invest in proven safety measures, leverage partnerships with law enforcement and traffic safety commissions and provide public awareness to prevent these tragedies. We’re taking significant steps to reduce the number of wrong-way driving incidents on our roads but we cannot address this issue alone. Drivers must do their part to drive sober, put down their phone, pay attention to the road ahead and not drive recklessly.”
Drivers can help reduce wrong-way driving incidents
- When operating a motor vehicle, always:
- Remain alert behind the wheel and focus on the road ahead.
- Put the phone down and do not drive while distracted – texting while driving is dangerous and illegal.
- Always drive sober – impairment can cloud judgement and lead to dangerous decisions on the road.
- Obey all signs when entering or exiting highways.
- If you suspect you are driving the wrong way on a road – or you approach a wrong-way sign or a flashing alert system:
- Stop immediately.
- Pull over to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights.
- Turn around when it is safe to do so.
- If you encounter a vehicle going the wrong-way on a road:
- Use caution and reduce your speed.
- Safely move your vehicle to an area of the road away from the wrong-way vehicle
- Call 911 and report the location of the wrong-way driver.
WisDOT efforts to combat wrong-way driving
WisDOT has identified wrong-way driving as a key safety issue on Wisconsin roads and the department is working to address this issue with urgency:
- In 2024, an internal task force was created to build on existing efforts and inform leadership and staff on an agency approach to wrong-way driving countermeasures.
- WisDOT teams identified opportunities to bolster our wrong way and do not enter signing and pavement markings to reduce wrong-way driving incidents on Wisconsin roads. This includes installing additional, oversized wrong way/do not enter signs and reflective strips on sign posts at freeway entrance ramps.
- Staff analyzed data to select 10 additional locations to install wrong-way driver alert systems on roadways susceptible to wrong-way driving issues in the Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau areas.
- Those 10 wrong-way driver alert systems are in addition to the existing 20 wrong-way driver alert systems on Wisconsin highways.
- By the end of calendar year 2025, Wisconsin will have a total of 30 wrong-way driver alert systems installed on the state highway system.
WisDOT’s Traffic Management Center (TMC) is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to monitor Wisconsin highways to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently. TMC staff regularly communicate with local and county law enforcement and the Wisconsin State Patrol to respond to traffic incidents, including wrong-way driving crashes. TMC staff also collect wrong-way driving data at detection sites and from law enforcement reports. If wrong-way drivers are reported or detected, TMC staff can activate available traffic cameras along state highways to view those situations. Available dynamic message signs are also used to warn other motorists on that section of highway.
WisDOT remains committed to enhancing safety through engineering improvements, education and enforcement. Together, we can help ensure every trip on Wisconsin roads ends safely. More information on WisDOT’s ongoing efforts to reduce wrong-way driving incidents can be found at wisconsindot.gov/wrongway.
