Reversing a Deadly Trend of Wrong-Way Drivers

TAPCO's WRONG WAY WARNING SYSTEM with Radar-Activated BlinkerSign® LED Traffic Signs.

Drivers who make wrong-way entries onto freeways or other restricted roadways pose a serious risk to the safety of other motorists and themselves. Wrong-way driving often leads to the most feared of traffic crashes, the head-on collision. Wrong-way crashes are relatively infrequent but they are more likely to produce serious injuries and fatalities as compared to other types of freeway crashes. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s 2009 report indicates that driving the wrong way in one-way traffic or wrong side of road factored into 3.1 percent of all fatal crashes in the U.S.

Driving the wrong way on freeways has been a nagging traffic safety problem since the advent of the interstate highway system in the 1950s. Despite over half a century of highway design, marking and signing improvements at freeway interchanges, the problem (and too often the deadly consequences) of wrong-way driving persists.

Confused, distracted and intoxicated drivers are contributors the problem. Most of the time the offenders are drunk, so one might think there’s little that can be done to prevent wrong-way driving. But there is a solution for getting this deadly trend turned around.

TAPCO's BlinkerSign® Solar LED Signs are a high-tech, low-maintenance safety solution. Their incredibly bright, flashing Day-Viz™ LEDs are highly visible, day and night, in any type of weather. They greatly increase conspicuity and draw more attention to the sign’s message. They are ideal for new traffic conditions, as well as existing scenarios with an elevated number of incidents. TAPCO integrates LEDs into standard traffic signs as well as custom signs.

Researchers have learned some interesting things about wrong-way drivers, who are usually impaired. They tend to keep their eyes down on the road directly in front of them, trying to keep their vehicle between the lines. So they may not see standard traffic signs. Installing DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY BlinkerSign® LED signs can deter drivers from making wrong-way movements onto freeways and other restricted roads.

BlinkerSign® Solar LED signs offer many benefits: Solar powered, they can be placed in virtually any location, and are unaffected by electrical grid failures. They require no trenching, wiring, cabling or specialized work crews, thereby reducing installation costs, labor and traffic disruption significantly. The installation process is greatly simplified, minimizing roadway workers’ exposure to live traffic. The solar-charged battery eliminates electrical bills. Component longevity reduces maintenance, typically operating maintenance-free for up to five years.

These brilliant signs feature TAPCO’s patented AutoBright™ Intensity Management: the system monitors the ambient light level and automatically adjusts the LED intensity for optimal visibility, day and night, in all weather conditions. Thus, the LEDs are brightest on sunny days, and less bright on overcast days and at night. BlinkerSign® Solar LED signs use 3M™ DG3 sheeting, the most retroreflective sheeting available, for the highest visibility.

The standard models will flash 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, but optional hardware can be added to program the flash for predetermined hours of operation, or for remote activation as needed. The typical activation device is a radar unit mounted on the same pole as the sign and solar panel. The unit is directional so it is activated only by vehicles traveling in the wrong direction, and is speed-adjustable. For applications with existing grid power, or those without accessible sunlight, 110V BlinkerSign® LED signs are also available.

For more details on BlinkerSign® Solar LED signs, contact TAPCO to explain how we can make your roads safer! We can be reached at 800-236-0112 and at www.tapconet.com