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 the 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.

For more information contact

Mike Noon
General Manager - Motoring Affairs
New Zealand Automobile Association
T. +64 4 931 9984
M. +64 21 659 704
E. mnoon@aa.co.nz

The New Zealand Automobile Association is an incorporated society with over one million members. It represents the interests of road users who collectively pay over $2 billion in taxes each year through fuels excise, road user charges and GST.