The recent death of a father of a former pastor and father of ten who was killed by a wrong-way driver in Orlando has renewed focus on wrong-way car accidents. The Orlando Sentinel reports that driver Nelson-Enrique Molina, 31, somehow drove the wrong way down I-4 east near South Street early Monday morning. Police say Orlando Rivera, 52, died at the scene.
In an earlier incident, a Clermont woman tried to warn another driver that he was going the wrong way. Savanna Fox was driving north on US 27 in Lake County when she saw a man driving parallel to her. He was driving on the wrong side of the road. “Roll your window down,” she yelled, according to a report in ClickOrlando.Com News, “What are you doing?”
Luckily, there were no car accidents as a result. Police say the man had a medical condition and had no recollection of the incident. It was fortunate there was no head-on collision. But in 2016, nearly 60 people were killed in wrong way car accidents in Florida.
Wrong way car accidents occur “when a vehicle has not observed posted traffic signs or pavement markings and proceeds in a lane going the wrong direction,” according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department. Police encourage drivers to stay in the right lane especially at night. And during transitional light times such as dawn and dusk. Most wrong way crashes resulting in head-on collisions. Head-on collisions are some of the most deadly car accidents.
Preventing Wrong Way Car Accidents
The Orlando Sentinal reports that law enforcement officials begin a public awareness campaign called “Stay Right at Night.” Nighttime is generally when such car crashes happen. Although a report by the Pew Charitable Trust asserts that data shows “wrong-way driving hot spots on highways near bars and restaurants, and the crashes spike in the hours around closing time.” The implication is that a lot of wrong way car accidents are caused by impaired driving. Many assume older drivers or those with physical problems cause wrong way accidents, but statistics show that most of these crashes involve young and healthy drivers who are not under the influence.
Car accidents happen for many reasons. If another driver’s negligence causes an accident that harms you or someone you love, there is help. Contact the Orlando car accident attorneys at Martinez Manglardi. Call 407-846-2240 for a free consultation. Offices throughout Central Florida.
