U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Roadway departure (RwD) crashes are a major contributor of highway fatalities in most States and localities. FHWA offers guidance on how to incorporate a focus on RwD safety into planning, design, construction, and maintenance programs. This strategic approach follows a clear framework that prioritizes efforts to:
1) Keep vehicles on the roadway, in their appropriate directional lane,
2) Reduce the potential for crashes when vehicles do leave the roadway or cross into opposing traffic lanes, and
3) Minimize the severity of crashes that do occur.
Additionally, this approach aims to increase awareness of current safety needs, future priorities, and collaboration opportunities with other program areas to enhance the success of focused safety efforts.
