M50 crash barriers

m_stan

I know this one has been raging for a while, but didn't the NRA back down and decide to go ahead with fitting crash barriers in the median of the M50 from the M1 to the M11 ?

It's an absolute disgrace not to have barriers on a road like this.

I don't want to start the debate about which is safer - barriers or no barriers., I know there's views on either side. I just want to know the status of the erection of the barriers north of Ballymount.

I drive almost the whole length of the M50 in both directions ever day (for my sins). I see they extended the barrier from Tallaght back to Ballymount. When do they do the rest ?

Having seen so many holes in that hedge that seperates me from the cars doing 120 on the other side, I constantly fear for my life on this road. Some awful accidents over the last few years show that my fear isn't unfounded.

Anyone who drives this road should make this a political issue by asking their local TD about it.

Thanks

Bluetonic

m_stan wrote:

When do they do the rest ?

When they are going from two lane to three lanes, due to start soon enough.

m_stan wrote:

I constantly fear for my life on this road.

Should try the back roads, or relax a little. The number of deaths is a very very very low rate per car movements.

m_stan

Back roads between Swords and Leopardstown two ways, five days a week ? I fink not !

Relax a little, maybe yeah - but you know what it's like - total head cases out there, and way too many tyre marks on the grass and holes in the hedge for comfort. Mine at least. Anyway, the government have a duty to protect those of us that use the roads. Thats what I pay road tax for. Global motorway safety stats are based on crash barriers being in the median.

rcunning03

m_stan wrote:

Back roads between Swords and Leopardstown two ways, five days a week ? I fink not !

Relax a little, maybe yeah - but you know what it's like - total head cases out there, and way too many tyre marks on the grass and holes in the hedge for comfort. Mine at least. Anyway, the government have a duty to protect those of us that use the roads. Thats what I pay road tax for. Global motorway safety stats are based on crash barriers being in the median.

If you keep thinking your going to crash and have an accident, that is what will eventually happen, just ignore the lunatics and drive carefully yourself.

m_stan

Driving round the M50/M1 roundabout this evening, I noticed the crews out installing crash barriers on the M50. Looks like they are not waiting for the 3rd lane addition to start this. They are also busy doing it on the M1 from the Port Tunnell northwards, so it looks like before long my entire trip will be crash barrier protected which is a very welcome development.

While I understand the comments re "drive carefully yourself and that's all you can do", having seen more holes in the hedge than I care to remember for the 5 years I've done this daily run, I will feel a LOT happier knowing that the chances of someone coming through from the other side are that much slimmer.

You can drive carefully yourself and still come a cropper as a result of some lunatics antics. And there's a lot of complete idiots out there.

Victor

m_stan wrote:

Back roads between Swords and Leopardstown two ways, five days a week ? I fink not !

m_stan wrote:

having seen more holes in the hedge than I care to remember for the 5 years I've done this daily run

Ever think of doing a shorter commute?

m_stan

After 5 years - believe me I've thought about it. But, I love where I live and quite like where I work, so I stick with it. Lots of people do a lot worse too. I work very flexible hours in very good job so it's worth it.

Sticking to the subject, you should be able to drive whatever distance on whatever road and expect the state to provide whatever safety equipment is necessary to protect the citizens of the state.

Imagine what the families of those who have died from crossover accidents feel when years after the accidents there are still no crash barriers.

Anyway, I'm talking to myself here and not getting much intelligent response on my actual point, so I'll rest my case right there ...

seamus

Personally, I'd prefer to see no crash barriers on the M50 instead of the three big wires. If I come off my bike and hit that, I just pray it removes my head cleanly, or I'm in for a whole world of pain

BrianD

m_stan wrote:

After 5 years - believe me I've thought about it. But, I love where I live and quite like where I work, so I stick with it. Lots of people do a lot worse too. I work very flexible hours in very good job so it's worth it.

Sticking to the subject, you should be able to drive whatever distance on whatever road and expect the state to provide whatever safety equipment is necessary to protect the citizens of the state.

Imagine what the families of those who have died from crossover accidents feel when years after the accidents there are still no crash barriers.

Anyway, I'm talking to myself here and not getting much intelligent response on my actual point, so I'll rest my case right there ...

Will you be supporting my campaign to have special barriers installed above the carriageways at Dublin Airport? I think this is necessary to prevent any wayward aircraft falling on top of me as I drive at 100K in the overtaking lane. Afterall the chances of an airplane falling on me are almost equal to a car coming through the central median and hitting me.

In all honesty, I totally disagree with. The number of cross over accidents in this country are almost neglible. The money spent on these barriers should just be given to hospitals close to the motorways so they can deal with the countless road related injuries that they deal with. Why should the state provide "safety equipment" for you when its unecessary and after all if Joe Motorist was a bit more careful he wouldn't need it. Ironically, those who call for motorway safety barriers aren't calling for similar barriers to put down the middle of every 2 way road in the state. Why? Because they have no idea what they are talking about. You really need to wake up and get out a bit often ... hang on I'll get the State to provide you with a coat so you don't catch a cold.

Bogger77

BrianD wrote:

Will you be supporting my campaign to have special barriers installed above the carriageways at Dublin Airport? I think this is necessary to prevent any wayward aircraft falling on top of me as I drive at 100K in the overtaking lane. Afterall the chances of an airplane hitting me are almost equal to a car coming through the central median and hitting me.

In all honesty, I totally disagree with. The number of cross over accidents in this country are almost neglible. The money spent on these barriers should just be given to hospitals close to the motorways so they can deal with the countless roar related injuries that they deal with. Why should the state provide "safety equipment" for you when its unecessary and after all if Joe Motorist was a bit more careful he wouldn't need it. Ironically, those who call for motorway safety barriers aren't calling for similar barriers to put down the middle of every 2 way road in the state. Why because they have no idea what they are talking about. You really need to wake up and get out a bit often ... hang on I'll get the State to provide you with a coat so you don't catch a cold.

Eh? I find myself agreeing with Brian for once !

More seriously, you want the government so spend all that money to put crash barriers in locations where there's been no cross over crashes. What about the other 95% + of the national road network, you know the road network apart from the Dublin Urban Ring motorway? You're in constant risk on the M50 each day, you say? You've not experience the pleasures of taking blind corners under railway bridges, with a truck coming from opposite direction in the middle of the road. N9 between Kilkenny Waterford.

Zaph0d

m_stan wrote:

Sticking to the subject, you should be able to drive whatever distance on whatever road and expect the state to provide whatever safety equipment is necessary to protect the citizens of the state.

Driving is a dangerous activity. An average car driven by an averages driver kills a person in Ireland every 50,000,000km. You've chosen to make a daily roundtrip commute of over 70km a day. If you keep this up until retirment you have a 1% chance of killing somebody. Now I know you like the place you live and the place you work but what about your responsibility to protect the citizens of the state?

Do you feel that your road tax compensates for the safety risk you impose on society by your choice of mode of transport and place of work?

Do you feel the state should pay for safety projects based on actuarial predictions of number of lives saved or based on public perception of risk (such as you being scared that a car may cross the median)? Would you accept that carrying out safety projects that save small numbers of lives in preference to those that save larger number of lives is a form of killing?

As a compromise, you could move to Malahide. Would this allow you to get to work in about an hour by train (DART to Tara St + Luas)?

HelterSkelter

BrianD wrote:

... if Joe Motorist was a bit more careful he wouldn't need it.

You can be careful yourself but you can't depend on the countless other idiots on the roads.

BrianD wrote:

Ironically, those who call for motorway safety barriers aren't calling for similar barriers to put down the middle of every 2 way road in the state. Why? Because they have no idea what they are talking about. You really need to wake up and get out a bit often ... hang on I'll get the State to provide you with a coat so you don't catch a cold.

When they put the extra lane on the M50 do you think there should be a crash barrier then?

How come other countries think crash barriers are necessary on motorways yet the NRA and you think a hedge and some chickenwire is good enough?

DubTony

Imagine the situation. Seemingly healthy 55 year old male driving at 120km/h in the overtaking lane of a motorway. Suddenly he has a severe pain in his chest and his reflexes force his foot hard on the accelerator. His car accelerates as another reflex pulls his right hand down on the steering wheel. His 2003 BMW 5 Series hurtles across the median at 170k, and ploughs through the hedge and chicken-wire like it's not there at an angle of 45 degrees. His car continues on it's way across the other median and into the oncoming traffic. It's 3pm so the road is not so busy and traffic is pottering along nicely at 120k. The first car on the outside lane swerves left to avoid the inevitable head on collision and crashes into the car beside causing that vehicle to run into the hard shoulder and into the beautiful stone wall. The BMW hurtles toward an oncoming single decker bus carrying a bunch of kids back from a field trip in the country. The bus driver swerves left to avoid the collision and then suddenly right to avoid driving into the wall at 80k. These sudden movements cause the bus to tilt and turnover as the kids inside are thrown around like rag dolls. The BMW collides head on with a truck. The BMW driver is killed instantly as the truck climbs onto the bonnet and destroys the car. The trailor of the truck swings around catching the front of the MPV coming behind and tossing it sideways. Carnage ensues as drivers coming upon the incident panic and brake furiously to avoid collisions. This in turn causes numerous rear end shunts and .......

there's no need to go on. That's called a motorway pile-up.

Do we still not need barriers?

OK, put your kid or niece or nephew on the bus, or your wife / sister / mother in the MPV, or your father / brother / uncle in the Beemer ...

do we still not need barriers?

Macy

DubTony wrote:

Do we still not need barriers?

No, just ban bloody bmw drivers...

Definitely a need for barriers on motorways. Would've cost far less to install them at the time it was built, so that's where any waste of money argument should be directed. It was done on the cheap in the first place.

m_stan

Zaph0d your comments are so full of generalisations it's rediculous. The one about my responsibility to protect the citizens of the state is laughable. What responsibility do I have ? Who voted me in ? Why should I change my lifestyle ? Just to reduce the chances of an accident ? What a total joke !!!

I'll decide where to live and work without your help and overly-simplistic views on the world based purely on statistics thanks. And I still demand the government protects me and the other road users by installing barriers. I don't think any other half sane road user would expect any less.

Good to see there's a few people starting to post some sensible comments. The majority of the crap written here is just that.

Last post on this. Because the crap being posted here is making me mad.

BrianD

DubTony wrote:

Imagine the situation. Seemingly healthy 55 year old male driving at 120km/h in the overtaking lane of a motorway. Suddenly he has a severe pain in his chest and his reflexes force his foot hard on the accelerator. His car accelerates as another reflex pulls his right hand down on the steering wheel. His 2003 BMW 5 Series hurtles across the median at 170k, and ploughs through the hedge and chicken-wire like it's not there at an angle of 45 degrees. His car continues on it's way across the other median and into the oncoming traffic. It's 3pm so the road is not so busy and traffic is pottering along nicely at 120k. The first car on the outside lane swerves left to avoid the inevitable head on collision and crashes into the car beside causing that vehicle to run into the hard shoulder and into the beautiful stone wall. The BMW hurtles toward an oncoming single decker bus carrying a bunch of kids back from a field trip in the country. The bus driver swerves left to avoid the collision and then suddenly right to avoid driving into the wall at 80k. These sudden movements cause the bus to tilt and turnover as the kids inside are thrown around like rag dolls. The BMW collides head on with a truck. The BMW driver is killed instantly as the truck climbs onto the bonnet and destroys the car. The trailor of the truck swings around catching the front of the MPV coming behind and tossing it sideways. Carnage ensues as drivers coming upon the incident panic and brake furiously to avoid collisions. This in turn causes numerous rear end shunts and .......

there's no need to go on. That's called a motorway pile-up.

Do we still not need barriers?

OK, put your kid or niece or nephew on the bus, or your wife / sister / mother in the MPV, or your father / brother / uncle in the Beemer ...

do we still not need barriers?

The short answer - NO. why not add my Boeing 737 crashing from the skies scenario to the above. As likely to happen. The above could happen on the N17 - are we putting barriers on this route?

Helterskelter wrote:

When they put the extra lane on the M50 do you think there should be a crash barrier then?

Yes, because with the addition of the third lane in each direction there will probably be the amount of space that a crash barrier will take up between each carriageway. The barrier will form a separator between both carriageways and will probably stop more people making odd driving manoeuvers such as u-turns rather that being a crash barrier.

Helterskelter wrote:

How come other countries think crash barriers are necessary on motorways yet the NRA and you think a hedge and some chickenwire is good enough?

Factually incorrect. The hedge and chickenwire is not a substitute for a barrier as everyone knows nor was it ever intended to be or thought to be one by anyone. The bottom line is that the necessity for crash barriers is governed by the width of the central median. In Ireland these medians are wide enough that barriers are unecessary.

m_stan wrote:

And I still demand the government protects me and the other road users by installing barriers. I don't think any other half sane road user would expect any less.

I have never come accross a more disgraceful and arrogant comment on this board. Ever hear of the concept of personal responsibility? Anyway, go off and cry to nanny state.

Zaph0d

m_stan wrote:

Why should I change my lifestyle ? Just to reduce the chances of an accident ?

When you put it that way: your lifestyle versus someone else's accident, well it's an easy choice, isn't it?

Helen Lovejoy

DubTony wrote:

These sudden movements cause the bus to tilt and turnover as the kids inside are thrown around like rag dolls.
.
.
.
.
OK, put your kid or niece or nephew on the bus,

Well said that man!

HelterSkelter

BrianD wrote:

Factually incorrect. The hedge and chickenwire is not a substitute for a barrier as everyone knows nor was it ever intended to be or thought to be one by anyone. The bottom line is that the necessity for crash barriers is governed by the width of the central median. In Ireland these medians are wide enough that barriers are unecessary.

They are wide enough for what? To safely bring the car back under control as the NRA say? I have seen the many holes in the hedge and skid marks in the grass that m_stan taked about. I remember counting 10 of them between Firhouse and Liffey Valley exit a couple of months ago. All of them led to the other carriageway meaning none of these vehicles were able to regain control. As no fatal injuries were reported on the M50 at the time it is probably pure luck that none of these resulted in head on collisions.

BrianD

There is absolutely no evidence to support your claim that vehicles have travelled from one carriageway to the other. None whatsoever.

Skid marks - I have often seen situations where vehicles have come accross stationary traffic and have taken evasive action by driving onto the central mediam.

Holes of the hedge - plenty of reasons other than cars going through them. Even if a vehicle did pass through the hedge they may well of regained control without affecting motorists on the other carriageway (other than causing them the fright of their lives).

You are making it sound like that these crossover incidents are a real issue when clearly they are not. There are plenty of other road safety issues that are critical and high priority other than retro fitting crash barriers.

Victor

DubTony wrote:

Imagine the situation. Seemingly healthy 55 year old male driving at 120km/h in the overtaking lane of a motorway. Suddenly he has a severe pain in his chest and his reflexes force his foot hard on the accelerator. His car accelerates as another reflex pulls his right hand down on the steering wheel. His 2003 BMW 5 Series hurtles across the median at 170k, and ploughs through the hedge and chicken-wire like it's not there at an angle of 45 degrees. His car continues on it's way across the other median and into the oncoming traffic. It's 3pm so the road is not so busy and traffic is pottering along nicely at 120k. The first car on the outside lane swerves left to avoid the inevitable head on collision and crashes into the car beside causing that vehicle to run into the hard shoulder and into the beautiful stone wall. The BMW hurtles toward an oncoming single decker bus carrying a bunch of kids back from a field trip in the country. The bus driver swerves left to avoid the collision and then suddenly right to avoid driving into the wall at 80k. These sudden movements cause the bus to tilt and turnover as the kids inside are thrown around like rag dolls. The BMW collides head on with a truck. The BMW driver is killed instantly as the truck climbs onto the bonnet and destroys the car. The trailor of the truck swings around catching the front of the MPV coming behind and tossing it sideways. Carnage ensues as drivers coming upon the incident panic and brake furiously to avoid collisions. This in turn causes numerous rear end shunts and .......

Simpler scenario - two coaches are in a head-on collision on a single carriageway national route that should have been upgraded, but we spent the money on being sure to be sure that motorway traffic couldn't cross-over. 108 dead.

I trump you.

HelterSkelter

BrianD wrote:

There is absolutely no evidence to support your claim that vehicles have travelled from one carriageway to the other. None whatsoever.

A pair of type tracks, starting on one side of the carriage way, going through the hedge where the hole is and continuing on to the other side of the carriageway. I have seen it with my own eyes. If that is not evidence of a vehicle crossing from one side to the other I don't know what is.

BrianD wrote:

Skid marks - I have often seen situations where vehicles have come accross stationary traffic and have taken evasive action by driving onto the central mediam.

All the skid marks I saw ended up going to the other carriageway.

Anyway answer my question, you said "In Ireland these medians are wide enough that barriers are unecessary.". Do you think they are wide enough for a out of control vehicle travelling at 120kph to regain control taking into account they consist of grass which will probably be wet/damp with the weather we get in this country? It must be like trying to control a car on an ice rink.

BrianD

It's irrelevant ... it's a non-issue ... it isn't enough of a problem to justify the retro-fitting the barriers or even prioritising it. You say it's an issue ... I say show me the proof that it is. Ten crossovers and none made the traffic news?

I haven't tried driving into the central median 120KPH so I can't answer your question. Neither have you it appears so lets assume that it is possible.

Anyway, we'll have to agree to disagree on this one or the thread will be closed! Bottom line is that political pressure has been applied so the barriers are going in. It's a no brainer for them - they are relatively cheap (the wire ones) and it looks like they are reacting quickly to perceived issue. Far easier than enforcing the law to prevent such incidents and spending money on driver education.

HelterSkelter

BrianD wrote:

It's irrelevant ... it's a non-issue ... it isn't enough of a problem to justify the retro-fitting the barriers or even prioritising it. You say it's an issue ... I say show me the proof that it is. Ten crossovers and none made the traffic news?

If I have time over the next week I'll go to the M50 and take some photos!

BrianD wrote:

I haven't tried driving into the central median 120KPH so I can't answer your question. Neither have you it appears so lets assume that it is possible.

All I'm saying is I saw what looked like evidence of several crossovers happening and it appeared the vehicle didn't recover in the median but passed over to the other carriageway. Whatever the arguement about the barriers it really pisses me off that the NRA claim people could recover an out of control vehicle on the median. Have you ever even tried running fast and trying to change direction on wet grass? The amount of times I have went on my snot playing footie on wet grass.

strassenwolf

HelterSkelter wrote:

If I have time over the next week I'll go to the M50 and take some photos!

I think we'd all feel a lot happier if you'd let someone bring you to the M50 so that you could concentrate on the photos.

DubTony

BrianD wrote:

why not add my Boeing 737 crashing from the skies scenario to the above. As likely to happen. The above could happen on the N17 - are we putting barriers on this route?

Don't know why there are no barriers on the N17, but if it's a dual carraigeway, there should be barriers. As for 737's ... honestly Brian, sometimes I think the only reason you use these boards is to try to wind people up. Rarely the voice of common sense. Are you a town planner?

The bottom line is that the necessity for crash barriers is governed by the width of the central median. In Ireland these medians are wide enough that barriers are unecessary.

No they aren't. Several crossover accidents in the past couple of years prove that.

Victor ... 2 double decker buses on whatever road you like ... blah blah blah ... we spent the money on e-voting machines, benchmarking and government jets. Trump tumped.... gimme a break!!!!

BrianD

Winding you up? I don't think so.

m_stan

looks like the newly installed crash barrier on the M1 between the airport and Lissenhall exits northbound saved someone yesterday.

BrianD

And how on earth did you manage to come to that conclusion??

Funny, for all these alleged cross over incidents that are happening these barriers are in remarkably good nick ... I thought they'd have a crew constantly running up and down the central median extracting cars and fixing the barrier.

Victor

Shouldn't it have crash barriers?

m_stan

BrianD wrote:

And how on earth did you manage to come to that conclusion??

Funny, for all these alleged cross over incidents that are happening these barriers are in remarkably good nick ... I thought they'd have a crew constantly running up and down the central median extracting cars and fixing the barrier.

the crash barrier is mangled. Therefore I think it's safe to assume that someone went into it. On that assumption, I think it's pretty safe to assume that it at least slowed their progress to the other side. On that assumption, I think it's pretty safe to say it helped in some way.

BrianD

and the world is a safer place. Mummy state has looked after another one of its citizens absolving them of personal responsibility for their actions. I can speed, shave and search for my mobile phone in the passenger footwell safe in the knowledge that those barriers are there. Oddly, all these new barriers are remarkably intact given the number of cross overs the scaredy cat drivers allege happen on a daily basis.

So Stan, all our m-ways have barriers now (or nearly have) what impact will it have? Next to none but our junior ministers can take a bow and collect a few votes from the minions. The next step is to put a barrier down every road in Ireland. I'm starting a petition ... would you like the honour of being first to sign?

Irjudge1

I can't remember the last time a Boeing 737 crashed onto the mototrway. I can however remember the two cross over incidents on the M50 in late 2004 resulting in at least one fatality. Also the cross over in 2004 on the M1 north of Drogheda resulting in two fatalities.

Why not protect our motorways against crashing airplanes? Because the cost would be exhorbitant. However the cost of the installation of a barrier along the median of a motorway which significantly reduces the risk of crossover incidents and the risk of pile ups is not prohibitive and is worth doing.

Yes there are many other road safety issues which need to be addressed, not least of which is the education of motorists driving on motorways, however it is still a worthwhile project to prevent incidents which should they occur at peak hours could result in multiple fatalities.

saobh_ie

seamus wrote:

Personally, I'd prefer to see no crash barriers on the M50 instead of the three big wires. If I come off my bike and hit that, I just pray it removes my head cleanly, or I'm in for a whole world of pain

That'll only happen if you hit the barriers at close enough to ninety degrees, the whole loosing limbs, world of pain thing. Whats more likely to happen according to what I've heard is that you'll tumble into the wires, loose some limbs, and travel down along the wires to the next post which will split you, or me as another motorcyclist, in two.

I have some 3dcg modelling saved somewhere that I downloaded off the net, I'll try and find the link or I'll upload the vids somewhere and post up the link. It's disturbing to watch.

That said, while tumbling end over end, safely into a hedge is a nice option for me if I get knocked off I'm also concerned about the possibility of a 5 series BMW punching through the hedge and causing a pile up because I can imagine myself swerving violently to avoid the MPV that was spinning through the air after being hit by the truck that was hit by the car and finding myself lying in the road as following traffic drives on in at 120km/h in a state of complete disbelief.

So barriers yes, but not the cheapest lowest spec pieces of crap out there. And, to agree with everybody, I think the money should have been spend on the health services or something else, lets just stick with whats worked so far and wait for the major accident before we start changing things. There’s better places for the money to go.

HelterSkelter

BrianD wrote:

and the world is a safer place. Mummy state has looked after another one of its citizens absolving them of personal responsibility for their actions. I can speed, shave and search for my mobile phone in the passenger footwell safe in the knowledge that those barriers are there. Oddly, all these new barriers are remarkably intact given the number of cross overs the scaredy cat drivers allege happen on a daily basis.

So Stan, all our m-ways have barriers now (or nearly have) what impact will it have? Next to none but our junior ministers can take a bow and collect a few votes from the minions. The next step is to put a barrier down every road in Ireland. I'm starting a petition ... would you like the honour of being first to sign?

You keep blabbing on about people taking responsibility for their own actions. But no matter how responsible I drive it is not going to save me from some nutter on the other side of the carriageway acting the dick, having an accident and coming through the central reservation and creaming me out of it.

If members of your family were killed, or severly injured and it could have been avoided if a crash barrier was installed would you still be arguing against it?

m_stan

BrianD wrote:

and the world is a safer place. Mummy state has looked after another one of its citizens absolving them of personal responsibility for their actions. I can speed, shave and search for my mobile phone in the passenger footwell safe in the knowledge that those barriers are there. Oddly, all these new barriers are remarkably intact given the number of cross overs the scaredy cat drivers allege happen on a daily basis.

So Stan, all our m-ways have barriers now (or nearly have) what impact will it have? Next to none but our junior ministers can take a bow and collect a few votes from the minions. The next step is to put a barrier down every road in Ireland. I'm starting a petition ... would you like the honour of being first to sign?

Brian, I have to say you are talking some utter nonsense. This has nothing to do with a "mummy state" - just providing proper safety infrastructure on our roads. I agree - some of them are terrible and a lot of them aren't motorways. These should equally be addressed along with safety barriers on motorways.

Your point above about the medians behing wide enough without a barrier is rubbish. Ever seen someone go onto wet grass on the M50 median @ 50mph ? I did and it wasn't pretty. And that was at less than half the legal speed limit.

Your description of people who demand the proper safety protection from the nutcases out there as "scaredy cat drivers" us just childish, as is your sarcastic talk of a petition. If you can't argue your point without being a baby, then why bother ?

Personally I think this discussion on whether we should have these barriers installed or not, even though this wasn't the intention of my post originally, has concluded. The real life examples of what happens when someone comes off the road proves that we need these barriers. Common sense would also tell you the same.

Thanks to all for the common sense posts.

mackerski

m_stan wrote:

M50 [...] 50mph [...] less than half the legal speed limit.

'scuse me?

Dermot

Victor

Image attached to this post http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=3426775&postcount=30

Irjudge1

Victor wrote:

Image attached to this post http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=3426775&postcount=30

That appears to be a single carriageway. So if you put a barrier down the centre how do you overtake?

m_stan

mackerski wrote:

'scuse me?

Dermot

ok got this wrong - I' still a little confused over the change to KPH !!!

Victor

Irjudge1 wrote:

That appears to be a single carriageway. So if you put a barrier down the centre how do you overtake?

You're not meant to over tak on bends or across ghost islands.

Irjudge1

LOL,

But there is no traffic in the picture so what do you need a barrier for?

Lorlor

Hi All,

Please can someone update me on the Crash Barriers that are now on the M50 South Bound from the start of the new M50 to Sandyford. This is my route every weekday to work. Do they or are they suppose to stop traffic from the other side coming across ??

Some people have told me that they are suppose to stretch with the impact of a car, bike truck etc be great if someone can actually let me know where I can find this information out. Pretty Urgent !!

Appreciate it ..

Tnks

Lorlor

First time on this site, only found it today, I am tryng to find out more information on what these crash barriers are suppose to do .. PLease if you know where I can find this informtion please let me know...

BrianD wrote:

Will you be supporting my campaign to have special barriers installed above the carriageways at Dublin Airport? I think this is necessary to prevent any wayward aircraft falling on top of me as I drive at 100K in the overtaking lane. Afterall the chances of an airplane falling on me are almost equal to a car coming through the central median and hitting me.

In all honesty, I totally disagree with. The number of cross over accidents in this country are almost neglible. The money spent on these barriers should just be given to hospitals close to the motorways so they can deal with the countless road related injuries that they deal with. Why should the state provide "safety equipment" for you when its unecessary and after all if Joe Motorist was a bit more careful he wouldn't need it. Ironically, those who call for motorway safety barriers aren't calling for similar barriers to put down the middle of every 2 way road in the state. Why? Because they have no idea what they are talking about. You really need to wake up and get out a bit often ... hang on I'll get the State to provide you with a coat so you don't catch a cold.

Zaph0d

http://www.google.ie/search?q=nra+central+median

There is a lot of uninformed debate on both sides.

The NRA has changed stance, presumably under political and media pressure. The result of their change of stance may be a reduction or an increase in the number of lives lost. Nobody really seems to care.

Motorway accidents disrupt more motorists than accidents on smaller roads and attract more media publicity. As a result may they may assume an undeserved degree of importance in peoples' minds compared to other road safety problems.