PHOENIX - We're half way through 2018 and the Arizona Department of Transportation is giving 12 News an update on its wrong-way detection system and its impact on valley highways.
ADOT began installing detectors late last year, and according to its records, the system has detected more than 15 wrong-way drivers entering Interstates 17 and 10 and Loop 101.
ADOT says these systems are in place to detect, notify and track wrong-way drivers to decrease the risk of fatal crashes on area highways. Something ADOT Divisional Director Brent Cain says, is working.
“Those 15-plus that have, that were picked up by our system, essentially self-corrected on the ramps,” Cain said.
He says, signage, signals and sounds are stopping some wrong-way drivers almost immediately.
“Time is of the essence because vehicles are traveling extremely fast on the freeway system,” he said.
While, the technology is in the pilot phase, Cain says, it is working to reduce the risks of severe wrecks by alerting officials instantly.
“Our systems caught a wrong-way driver and [the Arizona Department of Public Safety] took action to stop that driver who was successful and did not cause a crash,” Cain said.
They say though, the thermal cameras on the freeways aren't flawless and can't prevent drunk drivers from doing harm, as was the case in March 2013.
“Extremely intoxicated driver Northbound on the I-17 Southbound HOV lane, went head on into my wife and daughter,” Bo Molzan said.
The Molzan's lives changed forever. His wife and his daughter were severely injured.
Hi wife came out of the coma, but is permanently disabled and has permanent brain damage.
"My daughter was extremely broken in multiple ways," Molzan says. "Her hands basically being internally severed and her right leg is broken.”
Miraculously both survived. Molzan says kudos to the state for taking measures to increase highway safety.
“The state is making leaps and bounds. They're doing what they can," he said. "It's a tough uphill battle to fight this problem and they are making a conscious effort to do something.”
The overall goal is faster detection, a key to giving police a better chance of responding and ultimately stopping a wrong-way driver.