Legality
Failure to meet modern striping standards has cost DOTs and counties millions.
Why Agencies Need Centerline Compliance
To ensure centerline compliance based on federal transportation department standards, particularly the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), DOT's, counties, and municipalities, are encouraged to ensure that their centerline is accurate, compliant, and safe for motorists.
The Legal and Financial Risk of Outdated Markings
To ensure centerline compliance based on federal transportation department standards, particularly the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), DOT's, counties, and municipalities, are encouraged to ensure that their centerline is accurate, compliant, and safe for motorists.
Case Studies: Millions Lost to Striping Mistakes
What the MUTCD Says About No-Passing Zones
The national MUTCD is explicit:
“No‑passing zones shall be marked…at vertical and horizontal curves…where passing must be prohibited because of inadequate sight distances.”
If you’ve got centerline markings, it is important to ensure that they are accurate, consistent, and safe for motorists. If you have paved your roads multiple times, it's time to get centerline assurance.
“MUTCD Compliance Isn’t Optional.”
Supporting text: Ohio Supreme Court: ODOT must comply with the MUTCD for highway signs and markings. White v. ODOT (citing Slavick).
Approximately 120 motorists are killed each day in the United States. This translates to roughly 44,000 fatalities annually.
Other Similar Court Cases
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Kendall County, Illinois (1998) – Wittenmyer v. Kendall County
Slavick v. State, Dept. of Transportation (Ohio Ct. App. 1988)
Murphy v. Division of Highways
Radford v. Reeves Construction Co.​​
Murphy v. Omer Construction Co.
Thomas v. Department of Transportation
Communications, Inc. v. Cannon
Casey ex rel. Morgan v. Florence Construction Co.
