BEAUMONT, Texas — Texas is taking action to protect people from the dangers of wrong-way drivers.
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has started installing special sensors on I-10 exit ramps in Beaumont. They hope this technology can prevent head-on collisions.
Organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) welcome this technology.
These are not meant to keep track of everyday drivers. Instead this new wrong-way detection system is meant keep highways safer and save lives in the process.
If you've driven down exit ramps for Laurel Drive, College Street, or MLK, you may have seen new poles with surveillance equipment and solar panels.
These help detect wrong-way drivers on exit ramps.
"Safety is our number one priority at TxDOT. We've gone almost 23 years without a death-free day on Texas highways. We want to end that streak of daily fatalities, and this is one way that we hope to help accomplish that goal," said TxDOT Management Analyst Sarah Dupre.
TxDOT believes technology is part of the solution.
The state says there are about 240 wrong-way crashes every year on Texas highways.
"We're constantly looking at ways to improve the safety of our highway system and this is something we're trying out. And this is something new to the Beaumont district. So these locations in Beaumont will be the first locations to receive this wrong way detection system," said Dupre
A partial list of locations where sensors are being installed:
- Laurel Avenue
- 11th Street
- Harrison Avenue
- Gladys Street
- College Street
When a wrong-way driver is detected, the system will alert TxDOT and law enforcement.
"So this system uses thermal sensors to detect and confirm wrong-way drivers. Once it's confirmed, the LED signs will start flashing to warn the driver. If the driver does not stop and get off of that exit ramp and keeps going, then it will notify TxDOT and other agencies," Dupre said.
MADD said this technology is lifesaving.
"I'm super excited to have these cameras installed. There are so many crashes that happen because an impaired driver is driving the wrong way. I think they truly can be lifesaving," said Manager of Victim Services of MADD Casie Harris.
Both TxDOT and MADD agree that this technology will keep both sober and impaired drivers from meeting a tragic end.
"Law enforcement, knowing about this as soon as they enter the exit ramp definitely is a huge step in preventing crashes," Harris told 12News.
TxDOT plans to have this system online by the end of the year.