With deadly crashes caused by wrong-way drivers on Houston highways on the rise, local agencies are increasing spending in further efforts to prevent them. In just the last few weeks, there have been several horrific crashes resulting in the deaths of three innocent people who encountered wrong-way drivers.
In 2008, the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) initiated an aggressive wrong-way driver detection program. Under that program, LED warning lights and reflectors were placed at exit ramps as a warning to not enter. If drivers are not stopped by those deterrents, sensors will trigger a response in the toll road’s control room alerting law enforcement and causing electronic signs along the toll road to alert other drivers to pull over and stop. While the alerts provided by this program have resulted in most wrong-way drivers turning around, officers were able to stop 27 drivers who continued driving the wrong way. Reportedly, most of those drivers were intoxicated.
In addition to recent placement on the Katy-managed lanes at Post Oak, there are now plans to expand the LED warning signs to the Hardy Toll Road exits, which should be in place by the end of March.
Benny Agosto, Jr. and the law firm of Abraham Watkins are representing the family of a young lady who was needlessly and tragically killed as a result of encountering a wrong-way driver. Hopefully, the extra steps being taken by the HCTRA will, if not eliminate, at least reduce the number of these incidents and the resulting deaths of innocent drivers and passengers.
Benny Agosto, Jr. is a partner at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner in Houston, Texas. For over 65 years, Abraham Watkins has successfully represented injured people and families who fall victim to catastrophes. Our attorneys have the knowledge, experience and resources necessary to obtain just compensation their clients. For more information, please contact the office of Benny Agosto, Jr. at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, by letter at 800 Commerce Street, Houston, Texas 77002, or by phone at (713) 222-7211.