Wrong Way Driving – Road Safety Audit Prompt List

NHTSA · 2013 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Safety

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Summary

This document, published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 2013, provides a specialized Road Safety Audit (RSA) prompt list focused on Wrong Way Driving (WWD). The development of this tool was motivated by decades of research indicating that WWD crashes are disproportionately likely to result in fatalities or severe injuries compared to other highway crash types. Studies conducted primarily by state departments of transportation since the 1960s have identified significant human and environmental factors associated with these incidents. Key correlations include a substantial percentage of drivers being impaired by alcohol, an over-representation of older drivers (particularly those over 70) and younger drivers (under 25), and a high incidence of fatal crashes occurring at night or on weekends when visibility is diminished and alcohol consumption is elevated. The document serves as an aid for RSA teams to identify potential safety issues, avoid overlooking critical factors, and proactively address WWD risks. It is structured similarly to broader RSA guidelines but focuses specifically on WWD contributing factors. The prompt list is organized into six primary categories: Scope of Project, Function, Traffic Mix, and Road Users; Design; Signs and Markings; Time of Day Conditions; and Seasonal and Temporary Conditions. The FHWA recommends that RSA teams consider the perspectives of vulnerable user groups and critical partners, such as law enforcement and emergency response agencies, to develop effective mitigation strategies. Teams are encouraged to schedule field reviews during prevailing crash periods, including nighttime, weekends, and times coinciding with the closing of drinking establishments. The detailed prompts guide auditors through specific technical and operational checks. Under "Scope," auditors assess whether the study area includes critical freeway access points, proximity to drinking establishments, and the presence of vulnerable demographics like older or unfamiliar drivers. The "Design" section examines geometric features, such as whether exit ramps are adjacent to entrance ramps, if ramp alignment deters wrong-way entry, and if physical barriers or medians are conspicuous and adequate. It also questions whether lane configurations, sight lines, or vehicle queuing contribute to driver confusion. The "Signs and Markings" section focuses on the conspicuity, positioning, and condition of regulatory signs like "DO NOT ENTER" and "WRONG WAY," as well as the presence of dynamic warning systems and pavement markings. Finally, the prompts address environmental factors, including lighting functionality, sun glare, weather impacts on visibility, and temporary conditions like construction that may obscure signage. The significance of this document lies in its provision of a standardized, comprehensive framework for addressing the unique safety challenges of WWD. By integrating specific questions about human factors, geometric design, and environmental conditions, the FHWA aims to help transportation agencies systematically identify and mitigate risks associated with wrong-way driving. This tool supports the broader goal of reducing the high severity potential of WWD crashes by ensuring that safety audits account for the specific contexts—such as nighttime visibility and alcohol impairment—that drive these incidents.

Key finding

The document provides a specialized prompt list for Road Safety Audits to identify design and environmental factors contributing to wrong-way driving crashes.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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Topics

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• rail grade crossings
• roadway lighting effects
• external distraction
• signage environment