NTTA to Fight Wrong-Way Crashes With Education, Technology
By LITA BECK
Updated 8:00 PM CST, Thu, Oct 29, 2009
After six wrong-way crashes on the Dallas North Tollway so far this year, the tollway authority said it may spend millions to prevent similar incidents.
Police said Dick Eastin, 39, was driving the wrong way on the tollway just after midnight until he crashed into a light pole. Eastin is suspected of driving while intoxicated, police said.
North Texas Tollway Authority spokeswoman Sherita Coffelt said the agency is considering a pilot program that would test computerized sensors that would warn authorities when someone has entered the tollway from the wrong way.
"If that keeps our motorists safe, then that's what it's going to take," Coffelt said.
The tollway authority is also considering installing flashing lights to help warn drivers.
"The things we're looking at involve increasing their awareness by putting signs that are lit up, wrong way driver signs that are lit," Coffelt said.
The NTTA said that it will also work on an education campaign with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Coffelt said all of the six crashes on the Dallas North Tollway have involved alcohol.
First Published: Oct 29, 2009 7:50 PM CST
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