Dear Indiana Drivers: Please Learn How One-Way Streets Work

I'm not sure if people aren't paying attention, or they don't care, but road signs are there for a reason.

Dear Bad Indiana Drivers,

I know that I might come off as a bitter old man by writing this, but I need to get this off my chest. All across Indiana, and especially in my hometown of Boonville, there are several roads that are one-way roads. For the most part, the locals know where those roads are and which way you're supposed to drive on them. Then, you have a lot of people who either don't read the "One-Way" signs, think they can get away with a shortcut, or they just simply don't care. Either way, you’re driving the wrong way down the street, and it's getting out of hand.

I live on a one-way street, and the number of people I see disregarding the sign and driving the wrong way down the road is staggering. I don't care what your reasoning is; it's not that hard to see the sign and follow directions. Drivers cannot drive in the opposite direction, nor make a U-turn, nor turn onto a one-way street from the wrong direction. There are typically "One-Way" street signs, in addition to "Wrong Way" or "Do Not Enter" to alert drivers of these roads.

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It's a daily occurrence to see people turn down a one-way road in the wrong direction and keep driving, as if it's not an issue. It becomes an issue when someone who is actually following the rules of the road is then met head-on with some knucklehead who isn't. Most one-way roads aren't made for two vehicles to pass each other.

Not to mention, if I am backing out of my driveway, I'm looking in the direction in which traffic is supposed to be coming. If I back out of my driveway and happen to hit your vehicle because you're driving down the wrong direction, whose fault do you think that is? Spoiler Alert: The driver of the car going the wrong way is almost always considered at fault because they are breaking traffic laws and acting negligently.

When you go rogue and decide the arrow doesn’t apply to you, you’re not just “oopsie-ing” your way through town, you’re putting lives in danger. You had plenty of warning signs (in most cases) that let you know you shouldn't be turning down a road that's a one way. So here’s the deal:

• The big black and white sign with the arrow? Follow it.

• The red “Do Not Enter” sign? That’s not a suggestion, it's a law.

• And if all else fails, just do what every other driver is doing—because there’s a reason nobody else is coming toward you.

Again, I know that I come off as a bitter old man here, but please, pay attention to the signs, and don't think that you're above the law. Don't drive the wrong way down a one-way street. Accidents happen, sure, but if you are a repeat offender...and I have seen plenty of them, knock it off! Our nerves—and our insurance rates—thank you.

Sincerely,
Everyone in Indiana Who Knows How to Drive