The M1 Princes Motorway has been identified as a target spot for the rumble strip rollout due to its crash history and the significant safety benefits they offer.
In the five years to 2021, there were 229 crashes on this 43-kilometre stretch of road. Of these, 15 were fatigue related.
Rumble strips are proven to reduce run-off road crashes by up to 25 per cent by providing a noise and vibration warning to road users who have strayed from the road due to fatigue or poor visibility from rain or fog.
The rumble strips will be installed offset to the existing line marking on the edge lines and will produce noise and vibration if a vehicle leaves the travel lane, giving the driver an opportunity to fix their steering.
Rumble strips are designed to be just loud enough for motorists to hear but not excessively loud.
Noise walls exist along the majority of this corridor to mitigate any excess noise from the traffic.
Work will be carried out in stages from Monday 26 August 2024 for two months, Sunday to Thursday nights between 8pm and 4am weather permitting.
Single lane closures and reduced speed limits of 40 km/h will be in place during work hours.
Motorists are advised to allow five minutes additional travel time, drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park:
“The NSW Government has committed $46 million to install more than 2700 kilometres of rumble strips and enhance line markings on key regional routes like the M1.
“Starting from Gipps Road at Gwynneville, these new measures will make the M1 Princes Motorway
safer for drivers.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:
“The NSW Government is investing $1 million to install rumble strips on the edge lines of the M1 Princes Motorway from Gwynneville to Kiama Heights.”
“This is about safety – rumble strips are proven to reduce crashes, alerting drivers if they run off course.
Quotes attributable to Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:
“The statistics show this stretch of the M1 Princes Motorway has seen more than 200 crashes in the five years to 2021, several of them related to driver fatigue.”
“Installing rumble strips is an important step to improve safety on a route our community uses every day.
Quotes attributable to Labor Spokesperson for Kiama Dr Sarah Kaine MLC:
“These measures will help make the M1 motorway safer, especially during times of poor visibility and fog.
“I want to thank drivers for their patience while this important work is carried out.”
