Bill calls for tire-shredding spikes to stop wrong-way driving

An Arizona lawmaker is advocating for an oft-cited solution — one repeatedly deemed a non-starter — to the state's wrong-way driving dilemma.

Strategically placed tire-shredding spikes on Arizona freeway ramps would stop errant motorists in their tracks, according to Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale. She is the primary sponsor of House Bill 2539, which calls on transportation and public-safety officials to identify spots that have a "high potential for wrong-way drivers" and install spikes to destroy the tires of any wrong-way driver.

Ugenti-Rita's proposal

Ugenti-Rita acknowledged the Arizona Department of Transportation's existing efforts to combat wrong-way crashes, which include a multimillion-dollar camera system and increased signage.

“I just don’t think they’re very practical and economical,” Ugenti-Rita said, according to Capitol Media Services, citing the costs for a wrong-way driver detection system on Interstate 17.

“I’m looking at a more balanced approach,” she added.

Her bill was assigned this week to the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee, though it is not on the agenda for next week's meeting. Ugenti-Rita did not return a request for comment from The Arizona Republic.

Arguments against tire spikes

On the heels of a series of crashes in 2014, the state published an analysis chock-full of data, research and international findings on the topic of wrong-way driving.

There were 245 wrong-way crashes tallied on Arizona divided highways from 2004 to 2014, the report's authors found. Those wrecks resulted in 91 fatalities, and 65 percent of wrong-way drivers were found to have been impaired — on par with the national average for impairment among wrong-way drivers.

The trend of violent crashes continued last year as crackdown efforts intensified.

ADOT declined to comment Thursday about the proposed legislation.

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But officials in the past several years have been outspoken about spikes not being the solution. The agency even created a 386-word blog post — along with an 11-bullet list — that spells out why metal spikes aren't the answer to curtailing wrong-way wrecks.

Such systems aren't designed for speeds over 5 mph, can't handle high-volume traffic, can get clogged with dirt and require excessive maintenance. They can also damage right-way vehicles, spur potentially dangerous traffic backups and can break, leaving stubs that damage tires of other vehicles or motorcycles.

"We've found no place in the world where spikes are used on highway systems," the post read.

Elsewhere, researchers in Texas corroborated ADOT's assessment. Experts have increasingly moved toward early-detection programs, along with encouraging defensive driving — like staying to the right and being extra vigilant late at night when wrong-way, often impaired, motorists are more common.

Already in the works

Officials have been pilot testing a $3.7 million thermal-camera project that immediately alerts ADOT and Department of Public Safety troopers to a wrong-way driver, speeding up the process of warning others about an oncoming vehicle.

The system became operational last month along a 15-mile stretch of Interstate 17, which historically has been a major trouble spot, Doug Nintzel, ADOT spokesman said last week.

Watch the system in action

“The prototype system is operational and will continue to undergo testing in the coming months,” ADOT said, adding the system will be researched for about a year. “While technology holds promise for reducing the risk of serious crashes, it can’t prevent wrong-way drivers from getting behind the wheel.”

Reach the reporter at 602-444-8515, jpohl@azcentral.com or on Twitter: @pohl_jason.

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