N.B. highway sees spike in motorists driving in wrong direction

Many drivers have been caught driving on the wrong side of the divided highway between Shediac and Dieppe, N.B.

New Brunswick residents and officials are expressing concern over an increase in motorists driving the wrong way on Highway 15, particularly between Shediac and Dieppe.

Multiple reports and social media videos have surfaced in recent months depicting vehicles traveling against the flow of traffic, highlighting a potentially dangerous trend.

Brigitte Cormier witnessed a fast-moving vehicle in the wrong lane while driving between Shediac and Cocagne.

“I thought we were going to witness a head-on collision,” said Cormier, who recorded the incident on her cellphone.

“I saw the stuff on Facebook,” said Shediac resident Juliet Burrell. “It’s probably people distracted or don’t know where they’re going… I’m very surprised that it’s more and more people."

The gravity of the situation is underscored by a December head-on collision on Highway 15 in Dieppe which resulted in three fatalities, including a four-year-old child.

“It is very concerning when I hear stories of motorists driving in the wrong direction on New Brunswick roads,” said Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin. “This is not a matter I take lightly, as the safety of New Brunswickers and those driving on New Brunswick roads is paramount to our government.

“I am pleased to share the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DTI) has installed new signs at the Route 140/Route 15 interchange this week and will be completing a safety review of the signage in the Greater Moncton area, including Shediac and Cocagne on Routes 2, 11 and 15. DTI will ensure the necessary signs are in place. It is expected this review, and any additional signage will be in place in the coming months.”

The RCMP says it could take months to compile an accurate breakdown of reports of people driving in the wrong direction on the highway. They encourage the public to report any wrong way driving they see.

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