COLUMBUS, Ohio—Ohio is taking action that aims to put the brakes on deadly crashes caused by motorists driving in the wrong direction.

  •  Detection system will be installed along 18-mile stretch of I-71 in Hamilton
  •  Includes 92 electronic signs and 82 detection devices
  •  LED lights will blink around the edge of “wrong way” and “do not enter” signs when activated

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and officials with ODOT announced Tuesday that Ohio will now have a system to detect and deter wrong-way drivers.

The first-of-its-kind system will be installed along an 18-mile portion of I-71 in Hamilton.

It will include 92 electronic signs and 82 detection devices at 23 locations, from downtown Cincinnati to Fields-Ertel Road.

According to ODOT officials, when activated, LED lights will blink around the edge of “wrong way” and “do not enter” signs. ODOT’S Traffic Management Center in Columbus will also receive an alert.

ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks says this stretch of I-71 was chosen based on criteria that includes 911 calls, wrong-way and alcohol crashes, the number of alcohol establishments located close-by and ramp traffic volumes.

DeWine sees this as an important investment for the state.

“Although wrong-way crashes are rare, they are often deadly, and I believe that investing in this new technology will reduce the number of drivers traveling the wrong way on our interstates, prevent crashes and save lives,” said DeWine. “Improving our roadways to enhance driver safety is essential for improving the quality of life for people who live, work, and travel in our state, and this project is an important step forward for Ohio.”

While this is the first time the detection devices are being installed as a system in Ohio, two standalone devices in Columbus and Cleveland have been tested with positive results.

ODOT has been targeting highway ramps in 17 Ohio counties—where they say 82 percent of wrong-way crashes have occurred over the past decade— with additional signage, reflectivity, and striping.  These counties include: Cuyahoga, Belmont, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lake, Licking, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Montgomery, Richland, Stark, Trumbull and Wood.