Study shows few people report wrong-way drivers in central Florida

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Wrong-way drivers may be a bigger danger on central Florida roads than most might think.
 
A new study reveals most central Florida drivers don't report cars going the wrong way when they see them.
 
The purpose of the study is to find a way to notify drivers on the road who might be in danger of being struck by a wrong-way driver.
 
Edna Rosario said a driver going the wrong direction nearly forced her off the road around 10 years ago. She said that like most drivers, she did not report the wrong-way vehicle.
 
A six-month study conducted by Dr.Haitham Al-Deek of the University of Central Florida found that only 10 percent of drivers who witness a wrong-way driver called police.
 
The study does show that the number of ticketed wrong-way drivers has increased since 2005 and so have the calls to 911 reporting those drivers.          
           
"I do believe they happen more than people think and the only way to know is to put devices to detect them," said Al-Deek.
 
Channel 9 traffic reporter Racquel Asa has learned that the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority plans to better track drivers going the wrong way by placing sensors at ramps where cars are supposed to exit and not enter.
 
Authority officials plan to focus on three locations to find out how often it really happens.
 
"It's a good idea because this will at least alert you to do something about it," said Rosario.
 
Expressway Authority officials told Asa that if their study of wrong-way drivers finds significant problems, they'll look at putting more sensors systemwide.

WFTV