Over a five-year period, roadway departure crashes accounted for 60% of all reported crashes in this section of U.S. 101. From January 2017 to December 2021, roadway departures resulted in five fatal crashes, five involving serious injuries, 24 with moderate injuries and 18 with minor injuries.
This project will improve safety by installing centerline rumble strips along a 15-mile section between Coos Bay and Bandon. Centerline rumble strips are proven to be a cost-effective safety countermeasure intended to alert drivers when they begin departing their travel lane.
What is a roadway departure? Roadway departures occur when a vehicle leaves its lane and moves onto shoulders or medians or crosses into oncoming travel lanes. They can result in severe injury or loss of life if a vehicle strikes a fixed object. Roadway departures occur for various causes such as slick or icy road surfaces, drowsy or distracted driving, and attempts to avoid wildlife.