Rumble rollout's saving lives on the Newell

Life-saving rumble strips have been rolled out along almost 630 kilometres of the Newell Highway to keep drivers alert and alive on one of NSW’s key regional routes.
Rumble strips – also known as audio tactile line marking (ATLM) - are small, raised bumps placed along the edge and centre of roads to alert drivers who are veering from their lane.
Transport for NSW Regional Director West Alistair Lunn welcomed the completion of the massive rumble strip rollout, saying they were a particularly important safety measure on regional roads and highways where long distances contributed to driver fatigue.
“Safety is always the number one priority on our roads and this rumble strip rollout was one of a range of safety improvements delivered as part of the Saving Lives on Country Roads initiative,” Mr Lunn said.
“The primary objective of this project was to reduce the occurrence of fatigue-related crashes by up to 25 per cent.
“Thousands of residents, tourists and freight operators travel the Newell Highway every day and this simple measure is helping ensure they all make it home safely.”
The two-year safety upgrade of the Newell Highway also included installation of sections of median and roadside safety barriers, and wider centre lines in priority locations to increase the distance between oncoming traffic.
The Newell Highway rumble strips rollout started in January 2021 and has now been completed in the following sections:

• Narrabri to North Star, 128 kilometres.
• Parkes to Tooraweenah, 150 kilometres.
• Ardlethan to Parkes, 160 kilometres.
• Tocumwal to Ardlethan, 190 kilometres.

Read more about rumble strips and the Saving Lives on Country Roads program here.