Cheese cutter endorsement withdrawn by IAM.

Message

Samray · #1 Post by **Samray** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:29 pm

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/28/uk-m ... -rope-bar/

Mind you, the source was MCN.

lazarus · #2 Post by **lazarus** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:59 pm

Wouldnt hold your breath on this one. Way back in a past life I was involved with crash barrier manufacture (we always had to call it safety fence just like speed cameras are called safety cameras) just at the time that the wire rope system was introduced. The system used in the UK id different to the American one but the likely results for a biker hitting it is much the same - and decapitation was one reason why the system had been banned in a number of countries and even removed where it had been installed. Mind you, the traditional system isnt a lot better because the bolts sticking out of it, not to mention the z posts supporting it, will also rip you to bits. The safest from the point of view of the biker hitting it was the concrete system but this was way more expensive like twice as much.

However I was told many times by the DoT that the purpose of barrier was not to save the person hitting it but to prevent them from crossing the median and killing someone else. There was a secondary objective of stopping the vehicle hitting the barrier from bouncing back and injuring someone on their own side of the median. The safety of the person hitting the barrier was very much third place.

Incidentally, whilst the wire rope does stop most trucks crossing the middle, the trad Armco type barrier does not.

Samray · #3 Post by **Samray** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:19 pm

Point taken.
There were a few interesting comments under the article, including ....

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.

and

These might even be more humane cuz they kill you quickly rather than slowly.

D-Rider · #4 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:39 pm

lazarus wrote: The system used in the UK id different to the American one but the likely results for a biker hitting it is much the same - and decapitation was one reason why the system had been banned in a number of countries and even removed where it had been installed.

Expect to see Brunstrom lobbying for them then ..... an endless supply of fresh photo opportunities .......

Gio · #5 Post by **Gio** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:48 pm

I know the IAM were in favour and I believe one thing that might have changed their mind is the number of IAM members who complained at their stupid attitude.

I know of several who threatened to leave the IAM (me included)

I might even start a petition about the "cheese cutter" system installed on the M23, if I knew it'd get more than 100 sigs.

#6 Post by **Kwackerz** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:13 pm

Dont like any crash barriers tbh, but i appreciate the need to protect innocent people.

If I were to hit a barrier coming off a bike I would much prefer it to be either really fekkin fast so it killed me outright, or a really soft barrier so it didnt hurt

a. Either increase the speed limits and keep the existing furniture

b. Keep the speed as it is and fit air fencing as standard.

a. will allow savings on barrier technology and NHS costs, Pension costs, gawd knows what else.. as there'd be less injured or disabled as a result of the crashes
b. will cost the Government dearly... for new fencing, but will save on NHS expenditure and long term care

Thats what my view and stance is on it.

Well that and the fact I dont intend to crash.