Fatal Wrong-Way Crashes on Divided Highways, United States, 2014-2023
March 2026
Introduction
Wrong-way crashes are rare, but often severe events. This brief serves as an update to previous Foundation work examining these crashes from 2010 to 2018. Using FARS data, updated wrong-way crash numbers are provided, previously cited risk factors were examined in relation to the more recent crash data, and potential new risk factors were explored.
Methodology
This analysis examined fatal wrong-way crashes on divided highways in the U.S. from 2014 to 2023. Annual crash numbers and their corresponding fatalities were computed overall and in relation to crash, vehicle, and driver-related factors of interest, including driver impairment, age, license status, vehicle age, vehicle ownership, driver familiarity, lighting conditions, area type, and presence of occupants. Risk factors were assessed using models that compared wrong-way drivers with drivers who were going in the correct direction and appeared not to have contributed to the crash.
Results
A total of 4,164 fatal wrong-way crashes occurred on divided highways in the U.S. from 2014 to 2023, resulting in 5,730 deaths. The annual number of these crashes nationwide approximately doubled, from 278 in 2014 to 520 in 2023. In the same time frame, wrong-way crash fatalities increased at a rate that outpaced fatal crashes overall. While these events are still relatively rare, they have continued to steadily increase, indicating a potential growing safety issue.
Results show that older drivers, alcohol-impaired drivers, drivers without valid licenses, and drivers of older vehicles have a higher risk of fatal wrong-way crashes, consistent with previous research. New insights from the current study include findings that the risk of fatal crashes is also increased in rural areas, in dawn/dusk and darkness, among drivers who live far away, and among drivers of vehicles registered to other people.
Authors
Suggested Citation
Haroon, S., Yang, YM., Tefft, B.C., & McDonough, J. (2026). Fatal Wrong-Way Crashes on Divided Highways, United States, 2014-2023 (Research Brief). Washington, D.C.: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
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