(Golden, CO) — Head-on collisions are some of the most violent and deadly types of crashes on our roadways. Vehicles traveling in the wrong direction on a roadway contribute to these severe crashes. The Colorado State Patrol responded to 116 crashes involving wrong-way drivers in 2024, a 19.5% increase over the previous year. So far in 2025, troopers have responded to 58.
“When you have two vehicles driving, sometimes speeding, in the opposite direction, you can quickly see how avoiding distractions can make the difference in your ability to take action to save your life,” explained Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “If the unexpected happens and you see a vehicle coming at you, you will need as much time as possible to react.”
While crashes caused by driving on the wrong side of the road make up a small percentage of each year’s incidents, the consequences can often be the most severe for the passengers involved.
What You Should Do If You are the Wrong-Way Driver:
Highway
- Pull over on the shoulder immediately
- Put on hazards
- Call 9-1-1 for assistance to get safety off the highway.
Street or Road
- Pull over immediately to the shoulder or far right
- Put on hazards
- Safely turn around when it is clear to do so.
What You Should Do If You Encounter a Wrong-Way Driver:
Safety is the Priority
- Get out of the way: Steer to the right and slow down or stop if you can do so safely.
- Avoid hard braking: Avoid sudden braking, as this could cause a collision with a vehicle behind you.
- Create space: If possible, put obstacles like a median or parked vehicle between you and the wrong-way driver.
Then Report the Incident:
- Call 911: As soon as you are in a safe location, contact emergency services.
- Provide details: Clearly describe the location (mile marker, city, landmark) and direction of travel of the wrong-way driver.
These measures can reduce risk but can’t prevent wrong-way driving. This public safety issue will not be solved by engineering and enforcement alone. We all need to work to keep focus on our roadways and reduce our speeds to the posted limit when driving.
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ABOUT THE COLORADO STATE PATROL
Since our origin in 1935, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has focused on preserving human life and protecting property within our communities. Our 1,100 members embody the core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect in their daily jobs. In addition to our expertise in motor vehicle safety on the state’s roadways, the CSP is responsible for the protection of the Governor and other dignitaries, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, hazardous materials, homeland security, communications, investigative services, criminal interdiction, community education, aviation operations, and more. For additional information, visit us online at Colorado State Patrol or follow us on X, Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook.