Reflectors Being Installed In Southington To Combat Wrong-Way Drivers

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Once again, Southington is ground zero for state efforts to combat the terrifying problem of wrong-way, head-on collisions.

The state Department of Transportation announced Wednesday it was in the midst of installing special, inlaid pavement reflectors at four locations in Southington.

It's aim, according to the DOT via Twitter, is to reduce wrong-way driving incidents such as the one that injured two people over the weekend.

A Bristol woman and a Hartford man were rushed to the hospital early Saturday morning Feb. 11 following a head-on collision on Interstate 84 after the woman was driving the wrong way at about 2:48 a.m.

Southington has been chosen for this initiative because it has some particularly tricky on-ramps and off-ramps to I-84 that are close together, which could confuse a motorist, especially one who is impaired or driving late at night or both.

Basically, state officials said, the reflectors are designed to glow red if somebody is going in the wrong direction.

The reflectors are in the pavement, so if you see red colors emanating ahead of your car, you're in trouble, state officials said.

The message from the state is clear: "If you see red at night, stop and turnaround," wrote the DOT.

In July 2022, the State Bond Commission approved $20 million for statewide, wrong-way driver mitigation measures.

Last October, state officials had a high-profile press conference unveiling new, wrong-way signage with flashing LED lights to try and curb wrong-way motorists.

From Feb. 11: 'Wrong-Way Wreck Sends Two To Hospital In Southington: Police'

From Oct. 19, 2022: 'Wrong-Way Signage Unveiled Near I-84 In Southington'