ORLANDO, Fla. — When the Florida Department of Transportation opened the I-4 Express lanes, they installed wrong-way signs, directional arrows and reflective pavement markings.
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It was a start, but more was needed.
FDOT officials said an all-new high-tech wrong-way vehicle detection system is now in place.
It’s been more than a year since the I-4 express lanes opened.
Some drivers were excited, others were indifferent but by now you likely have given them a drive or two.
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Almost immediately after opening, people realized the on and off-ramps would take some getting used to.
For months, law enforcement officers were parked along those ramps making sure drivers knew the entrance and exit points to those express lanes.
Cruisers were stationed along ramps following a wrong-way crash on the express lanes near Fairbanks Avenue in March of last year.
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After the crash, FDOT said it was aggressively exploring avenues to accelerate existing plans to add wrong-way vehicle detection systems to I-4 Express.
Now those wrong-way vehicle detection systems are up and running at the direct connect ramps on Grand National Drive, South Street, Ivanhoe Boulevard, and Central Parkway.
When the system is triggered, lights will flash and hopefully alert the driver to the error.
Read: I-4 express lanes: What you need to know
If that driver continues, a camera will take pictures and send them to the FDOT communications center.
Message boards will also warn other drivers of a vehicle headed the wrong way.
If you encounter a wrong-way sign, stop immediately, pull over to the side of the road, and turn around when it is safe to do so.
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If you see a message board reporting a wrong-way driver heading your way, slow down, and move to the right.
See more in the video above.
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