Median Barriers Save Lives

On June 30, 2008 wrote a blog recommending the State of Louisiana start placing barricades in the medians of our interstate highway system to reduce highway fatalities. LINK TO BLOG

Once again, three years later I write on this topic. Yesterday two people were killed in the Baton Rouge area when vehicles crossed the medians and struck oncoming traffic. One of the victims was a friend of mine. Yesterday on I-12, an area familiar with these types of crashes, John Kendall was returning home in his police cruiser. For some reason unknown, John's vehicle crossed the median and struck two vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene. LINK TO ARTICLE John was a retired State Police Sergent, former US Court Security Officer and present LA DPS Officer. The second victim died on Florida Blvd in Baton Rouge when her car was struck by a vehicle crossing the median. LINK TO ARTICLE

As I said before, I believe these wire barriers are the key to reducing these terrible accidents. While Louisiana has made some progress in area, more is needed to reduce these unnecessary tragedies. I urge you to contact your legislators and Gov. Bobby Jindel to request more of these along our highways.

I did a little research on this issue today and found some information published from North Carolina. They tested a section of interstate for a 12 month period where a 3 strand wire barrier had been installed. They found 12 impacts. Of the 12 twelve, it was determined none crossed the barrier. Interestingly the police had only been called to one accident. By this, it is believed the other vehicles were able to drive away with only minor damage and no injuries. It appears these barriers work efficiently and are cheap to install. We need these desperately to save lives of our love ones.