Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Gov. Maura Healey announced a comprehensive statewide initiative to reduce wrong-way driving incidents.
Joined by public safety representatives and legislators at an event in Danvers on June 17, Gov. Maura Healey announced a comprehensive statewide initiative to reduce wrong-way driving incidents through a combination of advanced detection technology, enhanced roadway signage, infrastructure improvements, and targeted safety upgrades.
The multi-year effort will focus on 500-plus high-risk locations across Massachusetts where drivers may be more likely to enter roadways in the wrong direction due to driver confusion or roadway design, the governor said.
Improvements are already underway and will continue over the next several years, as Massachusetts Department of Transportation expands detection systems, installs new warning technology, and advances long-term infrastructure improvements designed to prevent crashes before they occur.
“By investing in new technology, stronger safety measures and targeted infrastructure improvements, we’re working to prevent these crashes before they happen and help save lives,” Healey said in a prepared statement.
The initiative follows several tragic wrong-way driving crashes that have impacted families, communities and law enforcement officers across Massachusetts.
The statewide initiative will be implemented through a five-phase strategy that combines immediate safety improvements with longer-term infrastructure investments.
MassDOT will retrofit existing signalized intersections and mainline camera systems with new wrong-way detection technology at approximately 430 locations across the state. The technology will identify wrong-way movements and provide real-time alerts to transportation officials and law enforcement.
New hardware will be installed within existing signal cabinets to enable data collection, detection, and notification capabilities. Following installation, the systems will be integrated with activated warning measures, including illuminated signs with flashing LEDs designed to alert drivers before they enter a highway in the wrong direction. These installations will occur throughout 2026 and 2027.
MassDOT personnel are also implementing safety upgrades at highway ramps and interchanges statewide, including enhanced “WRONG WAY” and “DO NOT ENTER” signage, improved pavement markings, directional arrows, lighting improvements and other measures designed to reduce driver confusion.
In addition, MassDOT is piloting next-generation wrong-way detection technologies at locations without existing infrastructure and using data collected to identify locations that require more significant roadway improvements to reduce driver confusion, including curb and island realignment, ramp reconfiguration to clarify driving paths, and channelization enhancements.
Much of this work is already underway, with additional installations expected to begin in the coming weeks.
MassDOT will continue to evaluate roadway conditions, collect data and identify opportunities to further reduce wrong-way driving incidents across Massachusetts.