Preventing Crashes with a Road Diet
One of the most notorious places for crashes is on a four-lane undivided highway that forces left-turning vehicles to slow down while actively in a through lane and cross dual lanes of oncoming traffic. Helping to prevent these types of crashes might be as simple as putting your road on a diet.
Road Diet?
A Road Diet is a reconfiguration of a traditional four-lane undivided highway that converts into three lanes – two through lanes and a center, two-way left turn lane.
According to the FWHA, implementing a Road Diet will reduced crash rates 19 to 47 percent , improve mobility and better integrate the roadway into the surround area to enhance quality of life.
Why a Road Diet?
As urban areas continue to promote programs for increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic, enhanced complete streets and livable spaces, Road Diets provide a low-cost solution to increase safety and better accommodate today’s traffic problems.
Along with crash reduction, additional benefits of Road Diets include:
- Reduced roadway speeding
- Reduced aggressive driving behaviors
- Improved safety at pedestrian crossings
- Improved safety for bicyclists on roadways
- Increase bicycle usage
For more information on how Road Diets have been used please see the FHWA site