OSHP releases report on wrong-way crashes

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio State Highway Patrol analysis of wrong-way crashes in Ohio since 2011 concludes that such wrecks occur less frequently than other types of accidents but tend to be much more severe and almost always involve multiple vehicles.

The report released today is aimed at better informing travelers, law enforcement, policymakers and others about circumstances of wrong-way crashes and the dangers such drivers pose on interstate highways and other high-speed roads.

The patrol analyzed 60 crashes that occurred between January 2011 and April 2013 on divided roadways and found that those led to 31 fatalities and 85 more injuries. All but a handful involved at least one vehicle other than the wrong-way traveler.

“Although they do not occur especially often, wrong-way crashes — particularly those on interstate routes and other high-speed, divided roadways — are typically severe and result in the death or injury of innocent victims,” the report said.