We aren't conspiracy theorists, and we believe that government usually wants to do the right thing. Nevertheless, we do wonder sometimes how large groups of smart people come up with such dumb ideas. In this case, it's wire rope barriers used to act as a median on rural roads.
The barriers, already in use in Sweden, the Netherlands and New Zealand, are used to prevent head-on collisions between automobiles on narrower roads that don't allow for thick concrete barriers. The UK was in favor of installing them, until a study by a motorcycle group showed that they would be fatal for motorcyclists. In New Zealand, the barriers were nicknamed "cheese cutters" after a 22-year-old motorcyclist encountered them at speed and was sliced in two like a brick of fromage.
Now the Institute of Advanced Motorists, the group that had been lobbying for them in the UK, has withdrawn its endorsement. It now wants to "ensure that any barrier system proposed anywhere on our roads places the safety needs of motorcyclists at the top of the list."
Thanks for the tip, Adam!
[Source: Motorcycle News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
glitched @ Dec 28th 2007 6:38PM
headline is deceiving... or at least confusing.
JunkStory @ Dec 28th 2007 6:46PM
Agreed. The headline made me think that the ropes were saving motorcyclists.
Hardy @ Dec 28th 2007 6:50PM
writing at its finest! =p
Rick Lyon @ Dec 28th 2007 8:17PM
Same here. I had to re-read it 3 times to make sure I didn't miss where the motorcyclists were NOT cut in half.
danieldacey @ Dec 28th 2007 7:01PM
They have these in Australia too. Ironically on the kind of roads that most appeal to motorcyclists.
Dan
creamandchives @ Dec 28th 2007 8:06PM
Yeah, lots in Australia - they definately look dangerous for motorbikes, but then again I have seen the aftermath of a motorcyclist decapitated after hitting a traditional steel armco railing in the centre of a bridge as well...
JPDyno @ Dec 29th 2007 3:11AM
Yeah Ive always seen them as dangerous, and I dont even ride motorcycles. As for armco being dangerous for motorcyclist, yeah, well, ANYTHING is dangerous to a motorcyclist really...
matt @ Dec 28th 2007 7:02PM
anyone who advocates foot-high barriers is an idiot. the only thing those barriers do is facilitate rollovers.
Brent @ Dec 28th 2007 7:03PM
Does the rope median save more people then it chops up?
R @ Dec 28th 2007 7:04PM
Damn, that's gross. And of course, I expect to see the governments that already implemented them to defend their purchase and save face.
steven @ Dec 28th 2007 7:06PM
I've seen something very similar to this on I-30 between Dallas and Texarkana.
caddy dave @ Dec 28th 2007 9:52PM
I 57 just south of I 80 Chicago
HAWC1506 @ Dec 28th 2007 7:10PM
These things are all over western Washington! I think they're called arresting cables and the purpose is to stop out-of-control cars from veering into traffic going the opposite direction. O.o
Maytag @ Dec 28th 2007 7:13PM
They just installed something that looks very very similar to this on highway 26 in Oregon.
Danny Boy @ Dec 28th 2007 7:27PM
We had them in Jersey. Got rid of them becuase once an accident happened, you had to redo all the wires, which was too much work for the workers here.
Speddy @ Dec 31st 2007 12:08PM
They just put these up on I-95 south in PA (from Scudders Falls Bridge south). Apparently this was the "cheap" solution to appease the lawsuits of several drivers crossing the grass medians and killing other drivers (2005 Christmas deaths, etc...).
Rather than extend miles of roadway with "Jersey barriers" or expensive guardrails, or newer safety mechanisms, this cable thing is not a great solution, longterm.
Cheese cutter indeed.
Poe @ Dec 28th 2007 7:33PM
These are used the interstates in SC. They actually work very well in preventing passenger cars and most large SUV's/pickups from crossing the median, but are pretty useless against 18-wheelers and other large trucks - and as noted here are absolutely fatal for motorcyclists.
They were NOT used here because on rural or narrower roads that don't allow for thick concrete barriers though... they were used here because SC is CHEAP and can't manage their funding properly. I guess they're better than nothing though - unless you happen to be riding a motorcycle (which I do).
jamey @ Dec 28th 2007 7:36PM
I couldn't help but notice this post was tagged cheese cutters, and I thought "gee I wonder how many other autoblog posts mention cheese cutters". Turns out none of them do.
far jr @ Dec 28th 2007 7:59PM
I lost a co-worker and friend this summer in a motorcycle accident involving guardrails. Not the cable type shown in this post, but the steel channel and post used in many rural areas. The bike slid along the rail until the footpeg contacted one of the posts under the rail. I wouldn't think there are very many guardrail systems that can be deemed friendly to bikers. How about those old steel grate bridges? Especially when wet. Be careful out there if you choose to ride on two wheels!
Dave @ Dec 28th 2007 8:03PM
"I wouldn't think there are very many guardrail systems that can be deemed friendly to bikers."
Exactly what I was thinking.
These might even be more humane cuz they kill you quickly rather than slowly.