SALT LAKE CITY — After numerous crashes involving wrong-way drivers around the state, the Utah Department of Transportation will install a new system to help prevent those types of accidents from happening on highways.
"There's been an uptick in wrong way driving incidents over the last few years and we've been very concerned about that," said Tyler Laing, ITS Program Manager for UDOT.
Laing said they had an initial pilot program in 2019, where they deployed just cameras out in the field. But while the cameras would alert officials, they did nothing to help the drivers.
Video below shows how the wrong-way system works
UDOT says the system is one of the most advanced wrong-way driver detection and warning systems in the country, and has been tested for several months on parts of the Legacy Parkway in Farmington. During the test, the system alerted 23 drivers heading the wrong way, all of whom turned around.
The system is comprised of a detector unit and a series of wrong-way warning signs equipped with LED lights. When a wrong-way driver is detected, the signs are activated as a warning. If the vehicle continues heading in the opposite direction, the system sends an alert to UDOT and the UHP so the driver can be tracked.
During the test, the system alerted 23 drivers heading the wrong way, all of whom turned around.
"Thankfully, all 23 have, have corrected themselves and, and gone the right way after seeing the system come on," said Laing.
After receiving approval for $2.5 million in funding last week, the system and cameras will now be installed at 20 additional locations, with most along Interstate 15 in Salt Lake City.
"We've just gathered all the data and information we could from our various sources, and these were the 20 locations that rose to the top, said Laing.
Rachel Vigil has seen the impact a wrong-way crash can have first hand as Aug. 6, 2021 was supposed to be a happy day for her family.
Vigil recalled how her sister, Angelica Dhondup, was dropping off her wedding dress and a few gifts after getting married just hours earlier. Dhondup was headed elsewhere, around 1 a.m. the following morning.
"Was on the freeway headed to their destination when they were struck by the car," said Vigil.
Vigil said her sister was hit and killed by a wrong-way driver.
"I think of the impact of the families on both ends because it's not just one losing out on, you know, that family member, it's both," said Vigil.
The new system UDOT is gearing up to roll out is something Vigil believes could be a benefit.
"I think that will save a lot of people," said Vigil.
In 2022, UDOT reported eight wrong-way crashes in Utah, which resulted in 10 fatalities.
“We’re always looking at ways we can use technology to make our transportation system work better,” said Robert Miles, UDOT traffic and safety director. “This innovative system will help prevent wrong-way crashes, making our roads safer for everyone who uses them.”
Laing says tells FOX 13 News they expect to start deploying the additional cameras beginning in the Spring, with the hope of having them all 20 of them ready to go by this Summer.
