lane departure

Meanings

1. 1noununcountabletechnical

   the act of a vehicle drifting out of its marked road lane, especially unintentionally.

   Grammar: Used as a mass noun: lane departure is a hazard; you rarely say 'a lane departure'.

   Patterns

   • lane departure warning
   • lane departure warning system
   • prevent lane departure

   The new car has a lane departure warning that beeps if you drift toward the line.

   Studies show that lane departure causes many highway crashes.

   He activated the lane departure alert before starting the long drive.

2. 2nouncountabletechnical

   a feature or system in a vehicle that warns the driver when the car leaves its lane.

   Grammar: Often shortened in speech to 'lane departure': My car has lane departure.

   Patterns

   • have lane departure
   • lane departure system
   • with lane departure

   Her car comes with lane departure as standard equipment.

   The rental had lane departure, which helped on the dark highway.

   He turned off lane departure because the beeping annoyed him.

Common combinations

lane departure warning

The lane departure warning flashed when she crossed the white line.

lane departure system

Many lane departure systems use a small camera near the mirror.

prevent lane departure

Good tires and attention help prevent lane departure.

lane departure alert

The lane departure alert sounded as the truck drifted right.

Synonyms and how they differ

drifting

'Drifting' is the general everyday word for moving out of position; 'lane departure' is the technical term used about vehicles and roads.

Word family

departure noun

the act of leaving a place or changing from a usual state.

Commonly confused: lane departure or departure lane?

Practice

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