|
|
Published August 12, 2008 11:49 pm - OKLAHOMA CITY — For Phil Tomlinson, secretary of transportation, the value of cable barriers became clear when a car spun out of control in the opposite lane in front of him on a busy stretch of highway.
Oklahoma: Statistics show barriers save lives
The Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — For Phil Tomlinson, secretary of transportation, the value of cable barriers became clear when a car spun out of control in the opposite lane in front of him on a busy stretch of highway.
The car struck the cable barrier, avoiding a likely head-on crash, straightened out and came to a stop.
Two women got out of the car, surveyed the damage and drove away, apparently without significant injury.
“It was just amazing to watch it happen,” Tomlinson said Tuesday after a meeting of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission. “It caught them like a spider web catches prey.”
The accident occurred three weeks ago on Interstate 40, about five miles east of Oklahoma.
It prompted Tomlinson to telephone Gary Ridley, director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, who was attending a meeting of highway executives in Oregon.
“He said, ‘Ridley, your cable barriers work,’” the ODOT director said.
Tomlinson recalled a sadder story a dozen years ago when his son was involved in a crossover accident on Interstate 35 in Texas, where there were no barriers. Steven Tomlinson escaped serious injury, but his best friend, a passenger, was killed.
Statistics disclosed at the commission meeting told a story of many lives saved by cable barriers since Oklahoma became the first state to install them in 2001.
In the first six months of the 2008, there have been six fatal crossover crashes, but none in areas where cable barriers were constructed, often along dangerous, narrow medians.
In the last four years, fatalities caused by vehicles crossing the median averaged 34 over 12 months, 18 over the first half of the year, according to John Fuller, ODOT chief engineer.
Cable barriers were widely used in Europe for before becoming popular in the U.S. this decade.
They are much cheaper to erect than concrete median barriers, allowing states to cover more miles of highway for the same cost.
“Cable barriers can and have provided lifesaving protection and peace of mind to motorists across Oklahoma,” Ridley said.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER
COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER, full time, providing support and case management for adults with chronic mental illness. BS/BA...>MORE
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Work along side and direct physically and mentally challenged adults in a work setting. Starts $8.00-$10.00 per hour. Co...>MORE
SUNSHINE, INC
is currently accepting applications for Full time and part time evening evening shift and an awake overnight suppo...>MORE
TELLER
Local credit union has opening for part time teller 25-35 hours per week, experience preferred. Apply in person Joplin M...>MORE
MEMBER SERVICES ASSOCIATES
The Freeman Southwest Family YMCA in Neosho, MO has two openings for Member Services Associates. These part-t...>MORE
JOPLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY
JOPLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY - Children’s Assistant. 20 hours per week. Must enjoy working with children, posses excellent cust...>MORE
OPIES TRANSPORT
Now Hiring Over the Road Drivers with 2 years experience. 800-341-9963 www.opiestransport.com ...>MORE
BUSY LAW OFFICE
Seeking experienced secretary. Good typing, computer and secretarial skills required. Position includes both secretarial...>MORE
COUNTER HELP
part time. Apply Comet Cleaners, 2401 E. 32nd, Joplin....>MORE
3 BOOTH RENTALS
small salon atmosphere, lots of exposure, 15th/Main. 417-529-8646...>MORE
See all ads |
|
2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
KIA, 2002 Optima EX, 4 door, leather, loaded, cold air, sunroof, CD, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1999 FORD F350
crew cab, 7.3 diesel, 4x4, white, Astro top, best offer. 434-3995...>MORE
TOYOTA, 2009 CAMRY LE,
excellent conditon, black/tan, 29,500 miles, bought from Fletcher, warranty, $18,900. 417-793-1613...>MORE
2000 Freightliner
$20,000 Century Classic, 745,943 miles; 1998 Freightliner $15,000, 400,888 miles; 1996 Volvo $25,000, 1,167,593 miles 1 ...>MORE
1993 ISUZU TROOPER
$2000 Good Interior Needs tune up. 417-396-8811....>MORE
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, automatic, cold air, CD, extra nice, $2400. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1986 FORD MUSTANG GT
Convertible, 5 speed, 112,000 miles, $3800. 417-439-1707 or 417-439-7901...>MORE
2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
4x4, asking $4500. (417)850-2454....>MORE
1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
Loaded, 98,000 miles, excellent condition, must see, $4500. 417-438-1609....>MORE
2008 HONDA RUCKUS
black, low mileage, $1500. 918-961-8995....>MORE
See all ads |
|
1219 XENIA COURT
OPEN SUNDAY 2-4 P.M. 3 br, 2 ba, $84,000. 629-6135....>MORE
3 BR, 2 BA, FIREPLACE
2 car attached, corner lot. Royal Heights area. $103,500. 417-434-0502 or 417-673-5584....>MORE
OPEN SATURDAY 9 A.M.-4 P.M.
Sunday 1-4 p.m. 3 br on 2 lots, central heat/air, vinyl siding/windows. See to appreciate. $29,900. 823 S. Sergeant. (91...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
916 OREGON
OPEN SUNDAY 1-3 PM , CARTERVILLE. 3 br, 2 1/2 ba REDUCED! 417-439-5010....>MORE
FURNISHED 3 BR
2 ba, 1750 sq. ft. vaulted ceilings, located in S. Joplin, near Shoal Creek, $97,500. Usa Real Estate 417-781-1233....>MORE
DOWNTOWN JOPLIN
Commercial buildings. For sale or lease. For details phone Bill Martin, Quality Real Estat...>MORE
LOMA LINDA
2 BR, 2 BA, 1 year lease, $750/$700. No pets. (417)310-0056....>MORE
1617 JEFFERSON CIRCLE
3 BR, 2 ba, gar, fence, updated electric $63,000. 629-6135...>MORE
BY OWNER: 3 BR, 2 BA
1880 sq. ft., Cedar Ridge subdivision $189,900 417-621-5098...>MORE
See all ads |
|
YORKIE, POMERANIAN AND SILKY PUPPIES
wanting forever homes. Well socialized. Prices $75-$300. Early Christmas presents (417)652-7510, leave message. ...>MORE
1950S CAVALIER COKE MACHINE
in working order, $350. (417)782-2751....>MORE
BOW FLEX EXTREME HOME GYM
(417)438-9041...>MORE
KENNELL REDUCTION
Chihuahua’s and French Bulldog’s, AKC, pups to young adults, very nice, Chihuahua’s $100/up, Frenchis, $900/up. (417)394...>MORE
TWO LIVING ESTATE SALES, ONE SITE
Saturday, November 7, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. 28245 Fir Road, Carl Junction, MO. Follow signs. Downsizing...>MORE
COUCH
full size, with pillows, light pastel colors, lavender and blue, no cats, no dogs, no kids, $150 or offer. 624-2197....>MORE
CHIHUAHUAS
Chorkies, WaPoos, Shih-Tzus, just in time for Christmas. $85 to $250. Registered and shots 417-438-6057...>MORE
CHEAP PUPPIES
Border Terriers, Dachshunds, Italian Greyhound, Lhasas, Morkies, Norwich Terriers, Shih-Tzus, Standard Poodles (chocolat...>MORE
COFFEE, END AND ENTRY TABLE
coffee, end and entry tables, Nordic Track Walk Fit, sewing machine desk, (417)206-4958....>MORE
2 CREMATION NICHES
2 CREMATION NICHES Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, moving must sell quick. Call Carolyn, (417)624-3017....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|