A 67-year-old wrong-way driver was killed in an accident on the A59 highway near Nuland on Saturday. The woman crashed into another car. Two people were injured. For many drivers it is a nightmare to see a car coming towards them. How often does this actually happen? And what can you do if you encounter a wrong-way driver or if you accidentally drive into traffic?
It is not yet known why the 67-year-old woman drove against traffic on the A59 on Saturday. Research by the Institute for Scientific Research on Road Safety (SWOV) shows that most wrong-way drivers do not do this on purpose. There are approximately 375 incidents every year, the organization reports.
“Many people simply make a mistake about the entrance and exit,” explains Patrick Rugebregt of SWOV. “In addition, you have people who are under the influence. And there is even a category that deliberately uses wrong-way driving. That is usually the case with traffic jams.”
Whether accidentally or deliberately, wrong-way driving remains extremely dangerous. It is quite a shock for motorists who see a car coming towards them. According to Robert Vriezen of the ANWB, you cannot actually prepare for such a situation.
“You are always shocked when a car comes towards you. You have to react in the moment,” says Vriezen. Do not overtake, keep driving on the right and try to warn the wrong-way driver with light signals, he advises.
Because every minute counts, the ANWB drops everything when there is a report of a wrong-way driver. “We always take this seriously and we take immediate action to inform everyone. Forewarned counts for two.” If Rijkswaterstaat receives a report of a wrong-way driver, the information is passed on as quickly as possible via the radio, navigation systems and traffic apps such as Flitsmeister. This way, other motorists are warned.
SWOV research shows that wrong-way drivers are often older people, just like the woman on the A59. Many of these older people have psychological problems. In some cases it is suicide. Most accidents involving wrong-way drivers happen on the highway in the evening, night or early in the morning.
This is what you should do if you accidentally drive wrong-way
- Try to find a gap in the traffic and drive safely to the emergency lane or central reservation.
- Immediately turn on your emergency lights and call 112. The traffic control center will turn on the signals so that the lanes are closed.
- Wait until the police or road inspector arrives so they can help you turn around safely.
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67-year-old woman dies after driving wrongly on A59
