The Risk Of Guardrails
Today there is a wide open debate on the usefulness and contribution to road safety of guardrails. The risk of guardrails, also known as guardrails, involves an analysis of the causes of traffic accidents. In this sense, a cause of great importance comes into play: the human factor.
The human factor in the causes of traffic accidents
Among the main causes of traffic accidents, the human factor is perhaps the one that causes the most problems. This factor includes distractions, drunkenness, speeding or lack of respect for road safety regulations.
However, it must also be taken into account that accidents can occur due to the state of the roads, the lack of signage, etc. Even so, the human factor is always behind, although not only in the case of the driver. This is because the human factor that causes accidents must also encompass failures in the administrations, which may not have properly taken care of road maintenance.
The origin of the risk of the Guarraíles
The guardrails were established in Spain in 1972, and from the beginning they were a reason for protest. In subsequent years, there has been a progressive evolution in the design of the same until reaching those that are installed today. Even so, after several decades of evolution, some drivers continue to suffer the consequences of the risk of guardrails.
The guardrails were created to reduce injuries due to exits from the road in a traffic accident. If we look at the figures from the General Directorate of Traffic, exits from the road account for around 30% of accidents. Therefore, are guardrails designed taking into account all types of vehicles that circulate on a road?
Keep in mind that not only cars circulate on the roads, but we also find trucks, buses or motorcycles. Of course, the design of the guardrails does not reflect these types of vehicles. If the driver of a motorcycle impacts with his body against a guardrail, the result will be that he either passes under it, falling towards the ditch, or he hits strongly against this element.
This type of accident can have irreparable consequences and, with the passage of time, protection systems for motorcyclists have begun to be installed. These elements consist of placing a continuous element below the conventional fences. However, this solution does not manage to absorb all the energy of the impact of the motorcyclist, so that they do not get thrown back onto the road and run the risk of being hit by another vehicle.
What’s new in guardrail design
Manufacturers of metallic road protection systems have submitted new proposals that would solve the existing problem. However, it must be taken into account that its execution depends on budget items. This is something that can make it difficult to implant.
In this sense, there are administrations with competence on the roads that are dedicating themselves to installing some sections of barriers that have managed to solve the problems of the risk of guardrails.
Even so, the current situation is very far from solving the problem at the national level. On the road, all users, without exception, must comply with the road safety regulations of the DGT. Therefore, it is logical to think that the administrations should ensure the safety of all drivers, regardless of the vehicle with which they circulate.
In short, when introducing a new element on the roads, especially those related to safety, very complete tests and trials must be carried out with all the vehicles that can be found, and not only with passenger cars.
It is noteworthy that a speed of 30 km / h is sufficient to produce a shock that can amputate a limb or fracture the spine of a traveler. This represents a very high risk for drivers of almost any road, in which guardrails should be an element in favor of reducing serious accidents, and not a greater possibility of risk.
