[icemaniceman]

Interesting theory....However here in snowy and icy states I have noticed that there are more spinouts on side of road in dry conditions in winter since the rumble strips came into wide use. . I suspect that the rumble strip divots ground into the highways here hold water that can freeze and are causing some accidents. ie. dry conditions in winter lead to higher speeds, generally on the interstate highway. Drifting driver hits rumble strip and leftover ice in divots and yanks steering wheel and the compromised friction due to ice and wheel moving up and down can cause an issue. The question is: are they preventing more accidents then they may cause? Anyone know of studies on the possibilities that rumble strips cause accidents?

[Gaffer]

I think they actually recessed them to keep from having to replace them so much. One could argue, at least with the center line and right lane lines that the driver shouldn't be hitting them anyway except for passing and turning.

[Venturer]

Here in Md they have a huge machine that goes along and slam a number of upside down ridges into the road. They don’t dig them out they just slam then in.

Makes a Helluva racket when they do it, I am sure on a turn at a hundred it could cause a skid.

[PeterPrinciple]

possibilities that rumble strips cause accidents?

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Dumb me, I thought the accidents caused the rumble strips.