Over several years, Fort Wayne Observed has repeatedly noted the utility of cable barriers in saving lives. The installation of cable barriers in the grassy median of high-speed four lane highways are shown to cut the incidence of traffic deaths due to vehicles crossing the median and striking opposite-bound traffic.
We last noted the cable barrier issue when the State of Kentucky issued a congratulatory release regarding its accelerated installation of cable barriers.
Cable barriers minimize highway deaths but are not foolproof. Today's news includes the shocking story of 11 persons killed in Kentucky when a tractor-trailer crossed the median on I-65 near Munfordville and struck a van carrying passengers bound for a wedding in Iowa. Preliminary determinations regarding the crash show that the tractor-trailer crossed a cable barrier in the median.
Whether Taylor University students and staff who are the victims or a father from New Haven or the travelers on a Mennonite Church bus the sad fact is that most of these deaths were preventable.
Cable barriers should be a standard on many stretches of Interstate highways.
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