What is the purpose of a rumble strip on the road?

A rumble strip serves the important purpose of alerting drivers when they are drifting from their lane, particularly near the edges of the road or in high-risk areas such as curves. The raised patterns of the rumble strip create a tactile and auditory feedback when a vehicle drives over them, effectively warning drivers to maintain their lane position. This is especially crucial for preventing accidents, as it helps to regain the driver’s attention and encourages them to steer back into their lane if they have become distracted or drowsy.

While the other choices represent features or markings found on roads, they do not accurately describe the function of a rumble strip. For example, speed limit changes are indicated by signage rather than physical road features, lane boundaries are usually marked by painted lines, and upcoming traffic signals are communicated through specific signals or signage. Rumble strips focus primarily on driver safety and lane discipline.