GARDNER — A frightening incident in Gardner was captured on dashcam video Wednesday afternoon, and police are urging motorists to be aware of a particular danger on the highways.
Dustin Fitch, who retired from the Massachusetts State Police in 2021, was traveling westbound on Route 2 at about 2:30 p.m. He was in the passing lane between the Gardner exits when he spotted a wrong-way driver coming directly at him. Reacting quickly, he switched lanes and narrowly avoided a collision with the vehicle, which he described as 2016 Honda HRV.
"I think you can hear my initial reaction in the video, but I was thinking, 'Is this really happening?" Fitch said. "I had just passed two cars that were traveling in the right lane, and in hindsight, I wonder how differently the outcome could've been for me if those cars were still on my right side. I would have either had to of crashed head-on into the wrong way vehicle or pushed myself into the car to my right. Either option is not very appealing."
While Fitch managed to avoid a crash, another driver behind him was not so lucky. The HRV, which was being operated by an 80-year-old Hubbardston woman, collided with a vehicle being driven by a 44-year-old woman from Gardner.
Fortunately, only minor injuries were reported.
FItch said that based on his years of experience, wrong-way driving incidents typically occur after dark, especially in the late night or early morning hours. He added that the most common reasons drivers get on the highway with their car aimed in the wrong direction was because they were either impaired by drugs or alcohol or confused.
"I only say (wrong-way driving incidents) are more common than people think, because they do happen but don't typically make the news because they are either stopped and corrected or crash, and the crash may make the news but the reason for the crash doesn't," he said.
How can motorists avoid wrong-way driving incidents?
Motorists can protect themselves from wrong-way drivers by paying attention while behind the wheel, Fitch advised.
"Keep your head and eyes up," he said. "Do not have distractions like fumbling with the radio or using the phone, which we all know is illegal anyway."
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Fitch also said it was a good idea to always keep to the right lane on the highway because wrong-way drivers, who might think they are on a two-way road, will typically keep to their right.
A motorist who spots a wrong-way driver coming at them should try to get out of the way as safely as possible, and then immediately notify the police by calling 911, Fitch said.
"Do not turn around and attempt to stop them or warn them, as you would be creating more of a hazard to yourself and others," he said.
How do police stop wrong-way drivers?
How do police stop a wrong-way driver on the highway? According to Fitch, most law enforcement agencies prohibit their officers from going the wrong way on the highway to pursue a dangerous driver, contrary to what the movies might depict.
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"Police typically will parallel the wrong-way vehicle in the correct lanes of travel, attempting to signal them to stop and warn oncoming traffic of the danger approaching them," he said. "Police will also deploy tire deflation devices to stop the vehicle, if enough time is available. Most often the vehicle will crash before that can take place."
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Wrong-way driver causes crash on Rte. 2 in Gardner - what to know to stay safe
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