WAUPACA, WI- The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office is advising the public on how to stay safe while driving on divided highways after arresting a driver for traveling the wrong direction on Highway 10.
According to a Facebook post from the sheriff’s office, a Weyauwega Police officer observed a vehicle heading westbound in the eastbound fast lane of Highway 10 near County Highway F shortly before 3 a.m. on June 15.
“The officer was traveling in the correct direction of travel with emergency lights and siren activated while attempting to get the wrong-way driver to stop. The wrong way driver continued to travel in the wrong direction,” the post stated.
A county deputy then used stop stick tire deflation devices to halt the wrong-way driver. The individual was subsequently arrested on suspicion of OWI and cited for OWI and driving the wrong way on a divided highway.
The sheriff’s office provided several tips to ensure safety on divided highways:
- Stay in the right lane whenever possible.
- Be alert for oncoming wrong-way drivers and those entering the highway from crossroads.
- Wrong-way drivers often think they are on a two-lane highway and will typically be in the lane they believe is the right lane, which will be your left lane.
- If you see a wrong-way driver approaching, be prepared to merge to the right shoulder to move your vehicle as far right as safely possible.
- Call 911 to report the wrong-way driver. Be specific about your direction of travel and the direction of the wrong-way driver. The dispatcher can determine your location using 911 GPS coordinates.
These precautions can help drivers navigate safely and avoid potential accidents on divided highways.
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