Lighted ‘Wrong Way’ signs would be cheaper, quicker way to make 167 safer

While the Louisiana Department of Transportation Development engineers conduct a study to find ways to make Hwy 167 safer, the Sheriff’s Office has found a quick way to reduce head-on collisions on Hwy. 167.
Sheriff Mike Couvillion and Eddlie Langlinais, the Sheriff’s Office’s information officer, attended the police jury meeting on Wednesday. Couvillon and Langlinais were there to hear concerns from citizens on how to make Hwy. 167 a safer place to travel. They were also there to offer a quicker solution to prevent another head-on collision on Hwy. 167.
Langlinais informed the jury of a company called “TAPCO Safe Travels,” which specializes in signs that light up.
TAPCO developed a “Wrong Way” that lights up and can only be seen by drivers going the wrong way.
The sign has flashing red lights on the edges of the sign and the words, “Wrong Way” also lights up with LED lighting.
Each sign is powered by Solar lighting.
TAPCO website said 360 people died last year from head-on collisions in the United States. By installing flashing wrong-way signs, it reduces head-on crashes by 38 percent, according to TAPCO.com.
Langlinais suggested placing the lighted wrong way signs at the intersections of La. 699, 697 and La. 696.
Each sign cost around $1,500.
If a driver is detected traveling the wrong way, the sign will alert law enforcement and drivers traveling the correct way.
Langlinais gave the jurors a way to pay for the signs. He informed them that the parish’s Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Homer Stelly said there is $11,000 available for law enforcement in the parish. That $11,000 would be used to purchase signs.
“These signs would make Hwy. 167 safer,” said Langlinais.