Governor Healey announces statewide deployment of state-of-the-art technology to improve road safety and prevent wrong-way driving 

BOSTON– Governor Maura Healey, joined by Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon, Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble, Undersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, today 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. Once complete, Massachusetts will have one of the strongest wrong way prevention and detection programs in the country. 

The multi-year effort will focus on over 500 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. Improvements are already underway and will continue over the next several years as MassDOT expands detection systems, installs new warning technology and advances long-term infrastructure improvements designed to prevent crashes before they occur. 

“We’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact that wrong-way driving crashes can have on families, law enforcement and communities across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “People deserve to be safe on our roads, and we’re taking action. 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. Our hearts are with every family that has lost a loved one in a wrong-way driving crash, and we are committed to doing everything we can to prevent these tragedies from happening again.” 

“Every person who gets behind the wheel should be able to get where they’re going safely,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These investments will help us prevent wrong-way driving incidents, strengthen coordination with first responders and make our transportation system safer for drivers, passengers and families across Massachusetts.” 

“Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, we are implementing targeted investments to improve roadway safety with measures that help prevent tragedies before they happen. Wrong-way driving remains one of the most dangerous behaviors across the nation’s roadways. As a state that chooses to lead, our goal is to reduce these incidents across the state with these safety measures so we can help identify wrong-way drivers more quickly, alert law enforcement faster and create a safer transportation network for residents and all who travel on our roadways. Every life saved is a reminder of why these investments matter, and we remain committed to using innovation and data-driven solutions to make our roads safer for everyone,”said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. 

“Today’s action by the Healey-Driscoll Administration will deliver several important new tools to help prevent the reckless wrong-way driving incidents that claim hundreds of lives nationally every year,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon. “We’re committed to leading on this issue because we know how the loss of Trooper Kevin Trainor, Sergeant Jeremy Cole, and Christopher Dailey has changed the lives of their families and loved ones forever. As we continue to honor their memory, we remain committed to working alongside our transportation and law enforcement partners to implement effective safeguards, prevent future tragedies, and create a safer Massachusetts for everyone.” 

“Roadway safety is MassDOT’s top priority, and through the comprehensive strategy we are announcing today, we expect to make significant progress in reducing wrong-way driving crashes, which too often result in tragic consequences,” said Undersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “This plan combines detection, prevention, and infrastructure improvements that are already underway and will continue over the next few years. Detection measures include technology that provides real-time alerts and warnings when wrong-way driving is identified, while enhanced signage and pavement markings will help clearly guide drivers and prevent these incidents from occurring in the first place. In the longer term, we will advance capital projects to redesign and reconstruct interchanges with a history of wrong-way driving issues, making them safer for all road users. We will also continue to work closely with the Healey-Driscoll Administration and our law enforcement partners to raise public awareness about the dangers of wrong-way driving and reinforce the importance of following traffic laws.” 

“The Massachusetts State Police continue to mourn the loss of Trooper Kevin Trainor, who gave his life while attempting to stop a wrong-way driver. His sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the dangers our Troopers confront every day in their mission to protect the public,” said Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble.

“While our men and women continue to respond courageously to dangerous driving incidents, these roadway improvements and investments in technology will provide another critical tool to help prevent tragedies and ensure that everyone makes it home safely.  Our hope is simple: that no other family will have to endure the loss and heartbreak experienced by the Trainor family.” 

“Incidents of wrong way driving are far too common on Massachusetts roadways, and we have seen their lethality in the tragic loss of Chris Dailey, Sergeant Jeremy Cole, and Trooper Kevin Trainor,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) “These tragedies, and others, compel swift and comprehensive action to do everything possible to prevent harm from wrong way driving. Fortunately, there are many tools available to effectively confront this threat to roadway safety. Today our state embarks on a mission to use those tools and make our highways safer for everyone who travels on them. While we are working toward the final passage of legislation to codify a state plan in statute, the steps announced today will begin making a difference as soon as they are taken.” 

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 also 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. Together, these efforts will help save lives and make Massachusetts roads safer for everyone.