How do centerline rumble strips increase highway safety?
Centerline rumble strips are effective at reducing head-on, sideswipe and crossing-the-centerline crashes on two-lane, rural highways. These crashes are of great public concern because they often impact innocent motorists and passengers in a second vehicle. The crash cause is typically driver inattention, error, fatigue, or impairment. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study showed all crash types were reduced by 15 percent, while head-on and opposing direction sideswipe crashes involving injuries were reduced by 25 percent. Data compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety from: “Crash Reduction Following Installation of Centerline Rumble Strips on Rural Two-Lane Roads, IIHS, September 2003 In the year 2000, 20 states had a combined total of 200 miles of centerline rumble strips on a few roadways. The five states with the most miles comprised 100 miles total. By the year 2003, 22 states were using centerline rumble strips for a combined total of approximately 1100 mi
