IAM RoadSmart calls for an end to cable barriers
Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has launched a new campaign to replace cable barriers on England’s roads.
‘Safer barriers for safer roads’ is calling for all cable barriers to be replaced by safer alternatives by the end of the decade.
It has reported that all barriers are linked to 76% of fatalities or serious injuries in crashes involving motorcyclists compared to 16% of other road users, while motorcyclists are 33 times more likely to be involved in a fatal single-barrier crash than car drivers.
In England there are nearly 150 miles of cable barriers, which are known for their ‘cheese cutter’ effect on bikers, while any unprotected posts that hold the wires in place can cause major trauma to those who hit them at high speed.
Road safety
IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards Nicholas Lyes said: “Motorcyclists have long been calling for these dangerous cable barriers to be removed, and yet across England, almost 150 miles of wire rope remain.
“We are calling on the government to remove and replace them with a Motorcyclist Protection System (MPS) which includes protected posts.
“In addition, whenever a barrier is installed, the distance from the road should be as large as possible to allow for evasive manoeuvres and maximum emergency braking in the event of a collision which might reduce the force of the collision impact with the barrier.”
