Road Safety Programs

The number one goal of the US Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration is to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries that occur on all of the Nation’s roadways. In order to do this, they have instituted road safety programs to promote awareness to safety issues, and offer solutions to the problems. 

1. Road safety audits are formal audits of a roadway. A team made up of different road safety specialists determines if an existing road, or road that is to be built, has any safety issues. Their findings are presented to the authority in charge of the road. Opportunities for changes are addressed by the authority.


2. Rumble Strips are either raised grooves or indentations in the roadway’s shoulder or median. Many serious injuries and fatalities are caused by inattentive drivers, or drivers that fall asleep. These strips cause a vibration alerting the driver to the fact that they have left their lane and hopefully wake them before an accident occurs.


3. Median barriers such as guardrails or concrete dividers separate divided highways. This prevents oncoming traffic from veering into the opposite lane, and cuts down on the severity of crashes.


4. Safety edges have been added to roadway asphalt. The edge of the roadway is designed at an angle, instead of a sheer drop-off. This allows for drivers to get back on the roadway easier if they have pulled off of the road.


5. Roundabouts are circular intersections that allow better flow of traffic. The roundabout forces vehicles to slow down and reduces speed related accidents.


6. Left and right turn lanes at controlled intersections cuts down on the number of crashes at intersections.


7. Yellow light interval times are adjusted to the speed limit of the road. This gives motorists the time they need to make it through an intersection before traffic from the other direction starts moving.


8. Medians are added for pedestrian safety. Sometimes pedestrians do not have enough time to make it through an intersection. Medians act as a safe refuge until the pedestrian can continue crossing.


9. Walkways, paths and trails are designated for pedestrians, joggers, bikers, and wheelchair users, along with other non-motorized vehicles. These walkways are separate from vehicle traffic, and reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities.

These are just a few road safety programs that the DOT and FHWA have implemented in their ongoing effort to make the roadways safe for drivers and pedestrians.