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MODOT Urges Caution Around Striping Trucks

By submitted

06/08/2015

JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Department of Transportation is working on its annual effort to paint fresh stripes on highways. Drivers should be prepared to slow down significantly when coming up behind a slow-moving caravan of MoDOT striping trucks.

MoDOT restripes most of the major highways each year during late spring, early summer. The striping trucks move between 8 mph and 12 mph when workers are painting white and yellow lines on highways. A driver traveling at highway speed can approach a slow-moving striping caravan much quicker than he or she expects because of significant differences in speed.

For example, where the speed limit is 70 mph on interstate highways, cars are covering at least 103 feet per second. If not paying close enough attention approaching the last truck in a striping caravan, a driver suddenly may have to brake and swerve to avoid a high speed, rear-end crash, which can be extremely serious.

The yellow MoDOT trucks have flashing strobe lights and boards with flashing arrows and messages.

"Even with all of the lights and signs, a few MoDOT striping crews are struck each year,” said Eileen Rackers, MoDOT state traffic engineer. “We ask motorists to exercise extra patience and attention so no one gets hurt.”

Crisp, easy-to-see striping is a significant safety feature on roadways. The paint contains glass beads that reflect light from headlights in the dark. Striping work is important to every driver.

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