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Red alert: This is how dangerous the ghost ride is at Christmas time!
The risk of ghost rides increases particularly during the Christmas season. Experts warn about causes and preventive measures.
Red alert: This is how dangerous the ghost ride is at Christmas time!
The dangers of wrong-way drivers increase dramatically, especially during the Christmas season. December 23rd is considered the most dangerous day for wrong-way drivers, as the Road Safety Board warns. Last year alone, eight wrong-way drivers were reported by radio stations on this day. The statistics speak for themselves: almost 80 percent of wrong-way drivers are male and on average 51 years old. The factors that lead to these accident-prone trips are particularly worrying: alcohol and drugs are the reason in 43 percent of cases, while 38 percent of wrong-way driving can be attributed to excessive demands noen.at reported.
Insurers' accident research (UDV) has also found that wrong-way driving is often carried out intentionally. In a third of cases, drivers turn around in moving traffic. The risk is particularly high for people over 75 years of age, who make up more than 40 percent of wrong-way drivers. The causes here are often dementia or confusion. Suicidal intentions or escaping the police often play a role in younger drivers. One example is a tragic incident in August 2023, in which an 83-year-old man drove in the opposite direction on the A 96 and was killed, while several other people were injured, according to the sueddeutsche.de.
Precautions and technological solutions
Although safety measures such as better lines and the introduction of “stop hands” at motorway junctions are already being considered, experts show that these are often not enough. However, technological advances, such as wrong-way driver warning systems, are developing promisingly. These systems can detect wrong-way driving and warn not only the driver, but also other road users. Manufacturers such as Škoda have already integrated such warning systems into new cars. However, in order to ensure effective prevention, the UDV experts are also calling for the introduction of emergency braking functions that could not only prevent wrong-way driving, but also intervene automatically before an accident occurs.