Media Release: 27 March 2009

AA Welcomes Life-Saving Rumble Strips Announcement

The AA has welcomed today’s announcement by the Government that an additional 750kms of rumble strips will be put on New Zealand’s state highway network by the end of June 2009.

Rumble strips are raised markings on road edges and centrelines which, when driven over, alert a driver with noise and vibration that they are veering out of their lane. This will increase the total length of the state highway network fitted with rumble strips from 600kms to 1,350kms.

Mike Noon, AA General Manager – Motoring Affairs, says rumble strips have proven to be a very effective and relatively inexpensive way to save lives and prevent accidents on roads.

“The AA strongly supports decision to more than double the amount of rumble strips on our roads. Rumble strips make roads more forgiving of driver error and help prevent road crashes, deaths and serious injuries.”

“People need to learn that ‘rumble means rest’. If you are driving over  the rumble strip, the vibration you experience is really a message that your concentration may be flagging and that it is time to either pay more attention or pull over and take a break.”

“We are delighted the New Zealand Transport Agency has used KiwiRAP, the New Zealand Road Assessment Programme, to identify and prioritise the roads which will benefit most from the new rumble strips. Those are the roads where crashes occur and where the safety need is greatest.”

“This decision is a smart one, it is money well spent and it will make New Zealand roads a lot safer,” says Mr Noon.

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