That Wrong Way Driver Wreck on Grand Island

[equinox]

I want to preface this by saying that by no means do I think it was the victim's fault in any way at all. But I try to envision myself in the driver's situation. It's 1am on a Monday. Quite possibly the lowest traffic volume of the week. Driving on that section of the 190, as I recall, is approaching the bridge, but it is basically straight and flat. I can't help but think I would recognize pretty early on that there was a wrong way driver. I admit I've never been in this position. But, I'm an alert driver. I would head immediately to the shoulder and get as far off the road as I possibly could. ANY option is better than a head-on.

[WNYresident]

THink about this.... you have two cars going 50 miles per hour.. that is basically 100 mph relative to the situation. Maybe you really don't have enough time to realize it is a car coming at you. If they were going 60 to 70 now your talking 120+ mph...

[equinox]

This is certainly true. But I think about some other roads I drive on where opposing traffic is separated by only a double yellow line. These are not highways of course, but I'll bet there are times when the relative speeds equal 100mph. I monitor that oncoming car to make sure they're in their lane. I can pick them up quite a ways in advance. I would imagine if that vehicle were in my lane, that would set off major alarms. Again, having never been in this situation, it's just conjecture on my part.

[granpabob]

after seeing tail lights only for miles head lights blaring in your eyes should catch your attention

[300miles]

The victims are from Michigan and had only been in WNY a couple days, so they had no familiarity with the roads. Maybe he assumed the headlights were coming from a curve in the opposite road. Plus the driver was only 22, and had 3 other 20-year-olds in the car with him. That makes it easier to see how he could have been distracted from understanding was was coming at him until it was too late. They did say one of the cars tried to swerve at the last minute.

[sharky]

THink about this.... you have two cars going 50 miles per hour.. that is basically 100 mph relative to the situation. Maybe you really don't have enough time to realize it is a car coming at you. If they were going 60 to 70 now your talking 120+ mph...

plus they were not from around here, for all they knew the road curved ahead and the lights were in the correct lane
combine that with the closing speed and it could be very hard for even an expert professional driver to avoid the crash

[fp2206]

We just had another head on collision at baseline and bedell. Cars totaled. Both drivers in their 30's. If one of these drivers were elderly we would be hearing again how the elderly should not be driving. Gladly no one hurt in this latest head on.