Final answer:
Rumble strips are installed on roads to alert drivers through vibration and noise that they are approaching tollbooth stations, hazard areas, or require to stop, acting as a safety measure to encourage reduced speed and heightened awareness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rumble strips are placed across the road to alert drivers that they are approaching areas where they need to be particularly aware of changing driving conditions. These rumble strips are designed to grab a driver's attention through vibration and noise as their vehicle passes over them. This tactile and auditory feedback is often used before tollbooth stations, hazard areas, or where a stop is required to alert drivers to slow down and prepare to stop or pay attention to upcoming road conditions.
In the context given, although a 'piece of wire' is mentioned, it's not typically a wire that touches the car but rather the strips on the road that cause the vehicle to vibrate. The purpose of this vibration is similar to that of the rumble strips – it serves as a physical alert to the driver about upcoming toll booths where they must slow down and possibly come to a stop for payment or for a ticket. Increased traffic volume and drivers speeding without regard to speed limits also substantiate the need for such traffic calming measures at certain intersections.