Addressing Wrong-Way Drivers

May 31, 2022

At the beginning of the year, there were a series of wrong-way deadly crashes. Since then, state transportation officials have ramped up signage and will be launching a pilot program to stop driver confusion.

In the meantime, one state lawmaker is doing all he can to honor a dear friend who died at the hands of a wrong-way driver. State Representative Bobby Gibson uses his platform at the state Capitol to raise awareness about drivers who go the wrong way on the highway.

In a public service announcement, Gibson says on camera while pointing at a highway on-ramp, “The most dangerous areas for this incident are highway off-ramps which drivers frequently mistake for on-ramps and enter going in the wrong direction.”

Gibson’s PSA is inspired by his college football buddy and fraternity brother Coach Melvin Wells of Hamden.

“He was such a giant and a meaningful person and his life were taken so senselessly. It really got my attention,” said Rep. Gibson.

State police say a wrong-way driver struck Wells on I-95 in Mystic in March of 2018. Both drivers died. Wells was just 55-years-old.

Gibson was choked up thinking about his friend. “This guy was um, a real man, pillar of the community who would do something for anyone.”

State transportation officials say there are 236 exit ramp locations in our state where on and off-ramps are on the same side of the road.

CT Department of Transportation is launching a high-tech detection program at these locations around the state on off-ramps. The department will install 360-degree cameras and flashing L-E-D light signs to alert drivers.

The state is scheduled to launch the pilot program early next year.

https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/state-lawmaker-speaks-up-to-stop-…