WIRE ROPE BARRIER CRASH

A 2010 crash on a Melbourne freeway where a truck brushed aside wire rope barriers.

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/2748721/wire-barriers-can-be-killers/?cs=11

"But VicRoads regional director Bryan Sherritt said the barriers were a “proven safety method” and “incredibly important” for saving lives and reducing injuries.

“There is no evidence from research in Australia or overseas that indicates wire rope safety barriers increase the risk of injury to motorcyclists when compared with other barrier types,” he said.

“VicRoads will continue to improve protection for motorcyclists by fitting rub-rails to guard fence and post cushions to wire rope along many popular motorcycle routes.”

NSW Centre for Road Safety general manager Marg Prendegast noted the wires could better absorb crash forces compared with concrete and steel guardrails.

This WRB crash happened on the Hume Hwy in a 110 kph zone on November 6, 2014. The WRB did not stop the truck. I t appears the drivers skill, not the WRB, avoided a head on crash. When part of a WRB is damaged the whole structure is weakened leaving road users exposed to greater risk of cross-over crashes. We understand road authorities' guidelines say WRB should be repaired in under 3 days. This site had still not been repaired on December 2, 26 days after the crash.

She said the centre was investigating all options to increase motorbike rider safety while maintaining safety for other road users."

These damaged WRB posts are steel, set in concrete and facing oncoming traffic on the Hume near Holbrook. They were left in this state for nearly a month. Close your eyes and imagine a downed rider sliding/rolling into these post at 100 kph. Road authorities do not put the same value on the life of a motorcyclist or a truck driver as they do on the life of a car driver. If they did this situation could never have happenend.

A 4WD brushes aside WRB near Ballarat, Victoria in 2011. 2 dead, 3 with horrendous injuries.

Wire rope barrier costs the taxpayer more than any other barrier type. It has a shorter working life at 15 to 20 years compared to w-beam at 40 to 50 years and concrete at up to 100 years.

WRB is easily damaged and require more repairs than the other types.

The Independent Riders Group has asked the Victorian Auditor General to to do a cost comparo on roadside barriers and will ask again.

Damien Codognotto OAM

Spokesman 

Independent Riders Group

Melbourne