Safer Roads

Our Safety Message

Safety is a core principle within MaineDOT’s overall mission. Our focus is to provide a safe transportation system for all users regardless of which mode of transportation they choose.

MaineDOT supports Toward Zero Deaths which is a national strategy on highway safety that advocates eliminating serious injuries and deaths on our nation’s roadways. We also support the Safe System Approach as the roadmap for achieving that goal.

Maine’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)

While MaineDOT considers highway safety in all the work we do from planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating our highway system, we cannot achieve our goal on our own. Partnering and cooperating with other safety stakeholders throughout the state is necessary and accomplished through ongoing coordination with these partners through the Maine Transportation Safety Coalition (MTSC).

Together the MTSC jointly developed Maine’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) which provides a holistic approach to addressing highway safety in Maine. This group is our acknowledgement of the safe system principle that “Responsibility is Shared”. The SHSP provides a roadmap of strategies to address Maine's safety concerns in a coordinated way and maximize effectiveness and efficiency in achieving the improvements in strategic focus areas that consider engineering, enforcement, education/public outreach, and emergency services.

• Maine Strategic Highway Safety Plan (PDF)
• Maine Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment (PDF)

Safe System Approach

The Safe System Approach is based on six principles: 1) deaths and serious injuries are unacceptable, 2) humans make mistakes, 3) humans are vulnerable, 4) responsibility is shared, 5) safety is proactive, and 6) redundancy is crucial. The key elements of a safe system approach are strategies that address safe road users, safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads, and post-crash care. MaineDOT’s work greatly impacts two of these five elements: Safe Speeds and Safe Roads.

Road Safety Reviews

MaineDOT conducts two types of road safety reviews depending on the extent and complexity of the safety issue.

Road Safety Audit (RSA) – A road safety audit is a formal safety performance examination of existing or planned roads and intersections conducted by a multidisciplinary audit team. RSAs often are one- or two-day long events. The team usually consists of law enforcement officers, land use planners, municipal officials, concerned residents, state and federal traffic engineers, and safety experts. The team considers the behavioral factors of drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians in addition to considering engineering and design aspects. Potential improvements consider the group’s collective input and are usually identified as short-, medium- or long-term opportunities. The RSA group can also discuss potential funding opportunities, and usually a report is prepared to document the process as well as the recommendations of the group.

Road Safety Assessment – A road safety assessment is a less formal review and generally involves a smaller group of stakeholders working to identify solutions to a specific location. Typically, those in attendance include MaineDOT staff from the Office of Safety & Mobility, the Region Traffic Engineer, the Regional Planner, Municipal Officials, and appropriate law enforcement, fire department, or other EMS officials.

Significant preparation and scheduling are required for these reviews so MaineDOT requires that requests for road safety audits or assessments be made by municipal officials. Members of the public concerned about highway safety issues are encouraged to coordinate with their respective Town to initiate the process.

Road Context

In 2024, MaineDOT is establishing a Roadway Context Classification System that will identify the current context of a roadway based on many factors.

Context classifications will be mapped across the road network in Maine. This map will serve as a guidance tool to assist implementation of MaineDOT’s speed limit process, the updated Complete Streets Policy, and increased utilization of speed management strategies.

For more information, please see the "Roadway Context Classification" section below on this page.

Setting Speed Limits

“Safer Speeds” has been recognized as a key objective of the Safe System Approach, an international highway safety strategy adopted by Maine and the United States. MaineDOT sets speed limits on all public roads in Maine, including both State and local jurisdiction roads pursuant to 29-A § 2073 §-1 and 2075, §-3. To set consistent and repeatable speed limits that consider local context and road user safety, MaineDOT has created an updated methodology to set speed limits.

For more information on MaineDOT's speed limit setting process, please see the "Speed Limits" section below on this page.

Mobility Needs

Mobility is typically thought of as the ability of the highway to reliably allow the movement of vehicular traffic at an appropriate speed in a reliable manner. Mobility is crucial to the economy of Maine and its residents and has a large impact on their quality of life. As MaineDOT considers safety improvements on our highway system there are most often tradeoffs between safety and mobility.

The truth of the matter is that we cannot afford to have every road be all things to all people given available resources. Transportation planners and engineers are assigned the complex task of finding the appropriate balance between safety and mobility for all modes of travel on each highway section and that largely depends on the context classification (see "Roadway Context Classification" below) of the highway.

Lower speed, low volume urban or village roads with high levels of active transportation activity may tip the balance towards access and safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. Higher speed or those roads in rural areas with less development density will likely prioritize safe and efficient travel between communities for regional mobility needs. High volume priority roads through built-up areas serve many purposes and are our biggest challenge. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to these roadways and MaineDOT will likely strive for a more even balance between safety and mobility.

Pedestrians and Bicyclists

MaineDOT considers vulnerable road users (VRU) as “non-motorists” which includes pedestrians, bicyclists, or people that rely on personal mobility devices and other human scale modes of transportation. These users have little or no protection in the event of a crash. Pedestrians also include people in wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and construction workers within a work zone on our highways.

Maine has experienced approximately 33,000 total vehicle crashes per year on average over the past ten years. VRUs are involved in approximately 1.2% of these crashes (0.7% Pedestrian, 0.5% Bicycle.) When looking at the most severe injuries in Maine’s crash history for the same period, VRUs make up approximately 9.6% of Maine’s total annual road user fatalities and serious injuries (7.0% Pedestrian, 2.6% Bicyclist.) These percentages show that our most vulnerable road users are disproportionally affected in Maine’s fatal and serious injury counts.

Several important initiatives for pedestrians and bicyclists include:

Maine’s 2023 VRU Safety Assessment (PDF) is a new state requirement announced in the federal 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Maine’s VRU Safety Assessment analyzes pedestrian and bicycle fatalities and serious injuries for the 2018-2022 period.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding Program principally supports locally initiated projects that improve the community transportation environment, economic vibrancy, safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, downtown revitalization initiatives and environmental mitigation.

Community-Based Initiatives and Demonstration Projects (see the section below) are opportunities for partnering with local communities to develop programs and deliver projects that bring out a shared vision and accentuate shared priorities.

MaineDOT's Complete Streets Policy (see below) is MaineDOT’s policy to guide and develop a multimodal transportation system and recognizing that pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure such as sidewalks, bicycle lanes, separated facilities, transit stops, ADA-accessible routes, etc., are crucial elements of the transportation system.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), public entities are required by federal law (Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act) to provide accessible services to persons with disabilities. For MaineDOT, "accessible services" means things like curb ramps, rest stops, building facilities, and public information.

Crash Data and Safety Publications

A core part of MaineDOT’s mission is to provide a safe transportation system for all users. Safety is continually being evaluated, strategies developed, and improvement actions initiated. This is being accomplished through:

Focusing on leading crash and injury trends - statewide and at individual locations.
Establishing transportation system crash improvement strategies.
Cooperating with other state agencies and safety advocates to address the state’s road safety improvement priorities.
Addressing work zone safety issues through programs that reach MaineDOT employees, the general public, and others working in work zones.
Improving crash data and other transportation-related systems to enable enhanced data quality and accessibility.
Partnering with other stakeholders to create an integrated safety strategy.

Please note that MaineDOT cannot provide individual crash reports. Those interested in obtaining actual reports can request them through the Maine Crash Reporting Online Search & Ordering Service hosted by the Maine State Police.

Online Crash Data Tools

Maine Public Crash Query Tool

Public Crash Query Tool Instructional Video

MaineDOT Public Map Viewer

Public Map Viewer Instructional Video

Common Public Map Viewer Querries, Pre-Filtered:

Annual Crash Data Publications

Highway Safety Publications

Safety Design Guidance

Traffic Data and Publications

MaineDOT’s Traffic Engineering Office is responsible for the collection of all types of traffic data including traffic volumes, vehicle classification, turning movements and special studies as requested by the Department. The reporting of traffic volumes is accomplished through two distinct methods involving the Continuous Count and Coverage (i.e. short term) Count programs.

Available Traffic Data

Local Road Safety

The Maine Local Roads Center provides training, technical assistance, and information to those municipal and county personnel who are responsible for constructing, maintaining, and managing local roads and bridges in Maine. As part of MaineDOT’s ongoing highway safety efforts, our Local Roads Center administers a hardware acquisition program which provides a variety of highway safety signage and hardware devices to municipalities:

Speed Feedback Signs – solar powered radar speed signs that measure the speed of approaching vehicles and inform drivers they are exceeding the posted speed limit.
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) – RRFBs are a pedestrian crossing sign combined with an intensely flashing beacon that is only activated when a pedestrian is present. They are intended for mid-block crosswalks only.
School Zone Signage – provides flashing school zone signs/lights. This enhanced solar powered equipment comes with programmable radar speed feedback signs.

Other useful safety resources available through MaineDOT’s Local Roads Center can be found on the Traffic Issues and Work Zone Safety and Flagger information pages.

Roadway Context Classification

In 2024, MaineDOT established a Roadway Context Classification System that identifies the current context of a roadway based on many factors, including the density and nature of the built environment around the road. The Roadway Context Classification System identifies five unique contexts that are typically found in Maine: rural, village, rural town, suburban, and urban.

MaineDOT Roadway Context graphic with examples of the five contexts: rural, rural town, village, suburban, and urban

Context classifications have been mapped across the road network in Maine. This map will serve as a guidance tool to assist in the implementation of MaineDOT’s speed limit setting process, the updated Complete Streets Policy, and increased utilization of speed management strategies. Transportation decision-making based on context is one tool MaineDOT uses to link Safe Speeds and Complete Streets in our effort to provide a safer transportation system.

Roadway Context Classification

The Roadway Context Classification System map is available here: MaineDOT Roadway Context Classification Map.

More information about the context classifications is available here: MaineDOT Roadway Context Classification System Explanation (PDF)

For more information about how municipalities can request changes to context classifications, please see this guidance document (PDF), which is awaiting final approval.

Speed Limits

You can learn more about how MaineDOT sets speed limits by watching this video, or by reviewing the MaineDOT Speed Limit Setting Process.

MaineDOT Traffic Calming Processes and Procedures

This new methodology is based on recent research detailing how roadway context influences driver behavior. The Department has a desire to gain voluntary speed compliance from drivers by posting speed limits that consistently align with road user expectations. Research indicates that changing a speed limit sign alone does not significantly impact vehicle speeds. When appropriate, MaineDOT will strategically use speed management techniques in combination with speed limit postings to achieve the Safer Speeds objective on the state highway system. The roadway and roadside elements used for speed management will more clearly convey the intended and appropriate operating speed to drivers.

For more information about how MaineDOT works to calm traffic, including a toolbox of lower-cost options to encourage drivers to reduce their speed, please see: MaineDOT Traffic Calming Processes and Procedures (PDF)

The new speed limit methodology is variable, with three sets of questions and formulas which consider different factors to appropriately weigh the needs of road users.

Mobility Needs

MaineDOT’s new speed limit setting procedure will maintain system reliability while improving safety, economic opportunity, and quality of life. Implementing this process and the updated Complete Streets Policy at the same time will maximize progress toward these goals given available resources.

Community-Based Initiatives and Demonstration Projects

MaineDOT has established a set of Community-Based Initiatives that focus on developing partnerships with local communities to develop programs and deliver projects that bring out a shared vision and accentuate shared priorities. These can support the planning, design, and construction of a variety of projects – including demonstration projects.

For more information about MaineDOT’s Community-Based Initiatives, please see the Planning page.

Complete Streets Policy and Family of Plans

Complete Streets Policy

The safety and mobility of all users of Maine’s transportation system is of paramount concern for the Maine Department of Transportation. MaineDOT considers the reduction of fatalities and serious injuries to be foundational to our mission. It is the policy of the Maine Department of Transportation to thoughtfully consider the needs of all reasonably anticipated transportation system users while considering both the context and project scope in the planning, scoping, design, construction, and implementation of transportation improvement projects and facilities.

MaineDOT’s first Complete Streets Policy was adopted in 2014, and the most recent updated version was formally approved in 2024. The updated policy now utilizes the MaineDOT Roadway Context Classifications in providing contextually appropriate guidance for incorporating Complete Streets elements into transportation projects. The most recent version of the policy, along with several supporting documents and plans, can be found below:

MaineDOT’s Complete Streets Policy (PDF)

MaineDOT’s Family of Plans : This set of planning documents lays out MaineDOT’s vision for the multimodal transportation system, including the Maine State Active Transportation Plan. More information about the Family of Plans, including executive summaries and the full reports, can be found here: Working to Move Maine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Traffic Control Devices

Traffic control devices include all signs, signals, markings, channelizing devices, or other devices that use colors, shapes, symbols, words, sounds, and/or tactile information for the primary purpose of communicating a regulatory, warning, or guidance message to road users on a street, highway, pedestrian facility, bikeway, pathway, or site roadway open to public travel.

WHAT’S THE STANDARD FOR HOW THESE DEVICES ARE USED?
The Federal Highway Administration’s Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) establishes uniform national standards and criteria for the use of traffic control devices that meet the needs and expectancy of road users on all streets, highways, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and site roadways open to public travel.

HOW DO I GO ABOUT REQUESTING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL?
We ask that you contact your town officials with your request. If they agree that the signal should be reviewed, they can contact the appropriate regional office to request the installation. Once the request is received, MaineDOT Traffic Engineers will perform a signal warrant analysis to determine whether there is justification for installing a traffic signal. The Department will conduct traffic counts and perform an engineering study of traffic conditions, pedestrian flow, crash data, traffic volumes and other physical characteristics of the intersection. MaineDOT warrants all traffic signals, speed limits and stop signs on Maine’s roads, regardless of jurisdiction.

WHAT’S THE HARM IN INSTALLING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL?
It may not be safe. Adding more stop signs or traffic signals along a roadway does not necessarily slow drivers down or increase safety. In fact, in some cases, especially when they are not really needed, the overuse of signs and signals can lead drivers to ignore or not properly obey them.

When examining Maine crashes at signalized and unsignalized intersections we have found that the crash rates for all types of crashes are higher at a signalized intersection. There are areas where traffic signals are appropriate and should be installed, but installation should be based on proven warrants and not on emotion. Installing traffic signals where they are not needed can create traffic congestion, add travel time, and frustrate drivers who may start driving impatiently. Other options may provide better safety. To make travel efficient and safe and to help ensure the proper observance of traffic signals, they are usually installed only where they are necessary.

WHAT ARE SIGNAL WARRANTS?
Warrants are conditions that an intersection must meet to justify a signal installation. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) specifies eight "traffic control signal needs studies", known as warrants. Our traffic engineers analyze vehicle traffic volume, pedestrian activity, intersection crash history, and the physical environment in order to determine whether the intersection warrants a traffic control signal.

IF AN INTERSECTION MEETS A WARRANT, IS IT GUARANTEED THAT A SIGNAL WILL BE INSTALLED?
Not necessarily. The MUTCD clearly states that, "The satisfaction of a traffic signal warrant or warrants shall not in itself require the installation of a traffic control signal." (MUTCD, 4C.01) The final decision is made based upon the traffic engineer's judgment.

CAN WE HAVE STOP SIGNS PLACED AT INTERSECTIONS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO REDUCE SPEEDING?
Maybe. Many people are concerned about cars speeding in their neighborhoods. They often ask us to install more stop signs. This concern is very understandable. Unfortunately, adding stop signs may not be the best solution. In some instances, installing stop signs can do more harm than good. Too many stop signs may also actually discourage good driving habits. Studies have shown that if stop signs are overused or are located where they don’t seem to be necessary, some drivers become careless about stopping at them. This can be especially dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists who may have a false sense of safety from the existence of a stop sign.

Speed Limits

HOW DO I GET THE SPEED LIMIT LOWERED?
All requests for speed limit reviews must come officially from the municipality. Once received, MaineDOT Traffic Engineers will analyze the request and decide based on the highway context, MUTCD criteria, and engineering science.

If a municipality has speed management goals for a particular roadway, municipal staff should reach out to MaineDOT to discuss and learn more about how speeds can be managed on Maine roadways.

ISN’T A LOWER SPEED LIMIT ALWAYS SAFER?
No, lower speed limits do not necessarily improve safety in every location. MaineDOT seeks to align appropriate speeds with the function of the road and the surrounding context. In contexts where speed management goals are centered on pedestrian safety, lower speeds are an important tool in creating a safer system. However, in other contexts the more uniform the speeds of vehicles in a traffic stream, the less chance there is for conflict and crashes. Posting speed limits lower or higher than what most drivers are traveling produces two distinct groups of drivers - those attempting to observe the limit and those driving at what they feel is reasonable and prudent.

These larger differences in vehicle speeds may result in increased crashes severity due to undesired driver behavior such as tailgating, improper passing, reckless driving, and weaving from lane to lane. Inappropriate established speed limits also foster disregard for other speed limits, traffic signs and signals, and contribute to driver frustration.

WHY NOT INSTALL STOP SIGNS, TRAFFIC SIGNALS, SPEED BUMPS, OR SOME OTHER DEVICE TO REDUCE SPEEDS?
Traffic control devices are designed and installed to solve a particular problem. When they are misused for speed control purposes, they are ineffective and may create a hazard. For example:

Stop signs are designed to control traffic at busy intersections. When used to reduce speed, motorists “roll” through them, then increase their speed between such signs.

Traffic signals are designed to control large volumes of traffic at very busy intersections or to reduce broadside crashes. When misused, they may cause drivers to speed up to “beat the light” and may increase crashes.

Speed bumps are installed with prudence and should be coordinated with towns to ensure that they are installed in a safe area. They should be well- marked in advance and visible, or they can be hazardous to vehicles especially emergency vehicles, bicyclists, motorcyclists, school buses, and especially snowplows.

WHAT IS YOUR TOWN AND THE MAINEDOT DOING TO HELP SLOW TRAFFIC?
Speed Feedback Signs. You’ve probably seen them out there, those signs that flash at you how fast you’re going. Many towns/cities in Maine are now using these solar powered radar speed signs to tell the speed of approaching vehicles. These modern devices can capture lots of data and can be used effectively at lower speeds. The data can be sorted in many ways and be utilized to do selective speed enforcement on certain days or hours. However, it does take training and knowledge of how to operate the unit so that it can be used to its potential.

There are many other ways to encourage speeds that are appropriate for the context of the roadway. MaineDOT’s speed management toolkit provides guidance for which tools are appropriate for the location where speed compliance is a problem. For more information, please see the "Speed Limits" section above.

Non-vehicular Road Signs

Non-Vehicular Warning Signs include Pedestrian, Large Animals, Snowmobile/ATV, Equestrian, Handicapped and Playground signs. Of these, MaineDOT has individual guidelines for and only installs Pedestrian, Deer, Moose and Snowmobile/ATV signs.

CAN I HAVE A “CHILD AT PLAY” OR OTHER WARNING SIGN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD?
MaineDOT does not install these signs. Routinely, MaineDOT and municipalities receive requests from citizens to erect other types of signs, such as Deaf Child, Blind Person, Horse Crossing, and Children at Play, with the belief that the placement of these signs will make our roads safer. It has been shown that these signs are often ignored and may provide citizens with a false sense of security. Some towns also have policies against installing these signs. You should contact your town regarding their policy on the installation of these types of signs.

CAN I HAVE A “BUS STOP AHEAD” or “HIDDEN DRIVE” SIGN INSTALLED AT A LOCATION?
These types of warning signs are intended to warn motorists of a possible hazard at a specific location on the roadway. There are engineering criteria that need to be considered such as sight distance, speed limits, traffic volumes, etc. to determine whether they are appropriate. You should contact the MaineDOT Region Traffic Engineer for your region for more information on how to make this request. Different policies apply for different sign types.

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHERE TO PUT WILDLIFE SIGNS?
MaineDOT works closely with IF&W wildlife biologists to determine where these signs are most necessary. These signs are only be installed when there is a significant crash pattern that has developed that endangers the vehicular driver and the wildlife. These signs are often installed with an auxiliary sign for mileage.

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Our Safety Message