AAA Study Finds Vehicle-Mounted Safety Signs Are Effective at Reducing Roadside Collisions

Source: AAA press release:

AAA-The Auto Club Group continues its Move Over for Me campaign by sharing a new study that examines the risk of being on the roadside and the effectiveness of various tools designed to alert approaching drivers.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted two field studies on busy roads to determine the effectiveness of various countermeasures like vehicle-mounted variable message signs (VMS), cones, flares, and more. The Foundation determined that VMS was very effective.

With VMS activated, drivers changed lanes and slowed down more than when the VMS was not operating. The odds of a vehicle moving over were 95% higher when the VMS was used. Passenger vehicles were more responsive to the VMS than trucks or buses, although both were more likely to move over when VMS was active than when not.

The Foundation examined cones, flares, and emergency flashing light patterns. Researchers found these led to significant lane shifts by drivers, but were less effective at reducing speeds or increasing the distance to the passing vehicles that did not change lanes.

The results from these field studies suggest that using VMS, nighttime light patterns, cones, or flares can positively impact the behaviors of passing motorists under most circumstances. AAA strongly recommends service vehicles or fleets utilize these features.

To view the full press release click here.