Rumble stripes have been installed on many of our two-lane highways as a safety measure to help prevent traffic fatalities and injuries from motor vehicle crashes. Rumble stripes are grooved patterns on the roadway that provide a rumbling sound and physical vibration, immediately alerting inattentive drivers they are leaving their driving lane. Rumble stripes are an effective countermeasure for preventing roadway departure crashes.
Rumble Stripe Facts
- In North Dakota, nearly 62% of all fatal crashes during the past three years involved lane departure.
- Nationwide, centerline rumble stripes are a proven countermeasure providing a 40% to 60% reduction in head on and sideswipe collisions.
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) approximately 80% of all crashes and 65% of near-crashes involve some type of driver distraction.
- An average of one roadway departure injury crash occurs every 43 seconds nationwide.
- Shoulder rumble stripes are now used in 46 of 50 states.
There are many factors that can contribute to motor vehicle crashes on North Dakota's, roadways such as:
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Poor visibility
- Inclement weather
When a rumble strip is painted with highly reflective pavement markings, it is known as a "rumble stripe".
- Centerline Rumble Stripes are placed on the center of undivided roadways to warn drivers they are leaving their intended lane of traffic. Rumble stripes are an effective countermeasure in preventing head-on crashes and crossover crashes.
- Edgeline/Shoulder Rumble Stripes are installed on highway shoulders outside the travel lane and are primarily used to alert drivers that they are leaving their intended lane.
- Saw Slotted Rumble Stripes at T-Intersections are installed on the full driving lane width to alert motorists of stop conditions.
- Transverse Rumble Stripes are placed in the driving lane, extending across the full lane width, to warn drivers of something unexpected ahead, such as curves in the roadway or upcoming work zones.
- Centerline Rumble Stripes are placed on the center of undivided roadways to warn drivers they are leaving their intended lane of traffic. Rumble stripes are an effective countermeasure in preventing head-on crashes and crossover crashes.
- Edgeline/Shoulder Rumble Stripes are installed on highway shoulders outside the travel lane and are primarily used to alert drivers that they are leaving their intended lane.
- Saw Slotted Rumble Stripes at T-Intersections are installed on the full driving lane width to alert motorists of stop conditions.
Rumble stripes provide added visibility to the roadway during evening hours and alert drivers to lane limits where conditions such as rain, fog, snow or dust reduce driver visibility.
