Clues You Might Be Driving the Wrong Way in New York

Here are a few clues that you should look for if you think you might be driving the wrong way on a New York road, street, or highway.

Over the last few months, there has been a huge rise in the number of wrong-way driver incidents that have been reported across the Hudson Valley. In September we told you about the fiery crash on Route 17 in Orange County, NY that involved a 2008 Ford F150 that slammed head-on into a tractor-trailer killing the driver.

Wrong Way Crashes in the Hudson Valley, New York

In October 35-year-old Joseph LaFave, of LaGrange reportedly drove his BMW north in the southbound lane of the Taconic State Parkway colliding head-on with a Lincoln Navigator driven by 69-year-old William Scheibel, of Wading River, NY. Sadly, both drivers died as a result of the crash.

SEE ALSO: LOOK: Tractor-Trailer Hits Overpass on New York's Route 17

Accidents like these have many wondering how do they keep happening. Unfortunately, wrong-way drivers are becoming more and more common which is why it's an important time to remind drivers that there are specific things you can look for while you are driving that will show you that you are driving in the wrong direction. Patrick O'Dell, who is one of the most active contributors on the Dutchess County scanner feed Facebook page recently posted a few clues that some drivers might find helpful.

Clues That You Are Driving the Wrong Way in New York

The first clue shared was, that if you look at the pavement that you are driving on and see an arrow pointing at you, you are driving in the wrong direction. If the white line is on your left and the yellow line is on the right you are driving in the wrong direction.

If the road you are diving on has reflectors on the dividers or barriers that separate each side of the road and the reflectors are red instead of yellow, you are driving in the wrong direction. If you are only seeing the back side of road signs, you are driving in the wrong direction.

What To Do If You Are Driving in the Wrong Direction

If you realize that you are driving the wrong way the best advice is that you pull over to the side of the road and immediately stop. Take a look around, and when it is safe to do so you should turn around and head in the right direction.

What To Do If You See a Wrong Way Driver

If you see a driver heading in the wrong direction, you should use caution, reduce your speed, pull over, and call 911 to report the incident.