The Safety Edge: What Is It and How Does It Work?
Departures from the road are one of the leading causes of accidents, accounting for over half of all fatal accidents. While some of these accidents are caused by people speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol, not all of them do and many could have been easily prevented by the installation of a safety edge on the side of the road. The safety edge is an effective solution to alleviate the number of crashes related to pavement edges. When this process is implemented correctly, the edge of the pavement is simply shaped to a 30 degree angle and eliminates the problem of vertical drop offs that can lead to a car going out of control.
Why Vehicles Leave the Road
There are several factors that may lead to a car venturing off road. These include simple driver errors, bad surface conditions, or to avoid hitting an object, animal, or another vehicle. When the vehicle leaves the road, the drop off of the pavement can potentially be hazardous because of the significant difference in the vertical surfaces. Leaving the road can affect the driver's ability to be able to handle the vehicle effectively.
Impact of Drop Offs
There are numerous studies that have been done to test a driver's ability to respond to encountering a drop off under different conditions. The variables used in the study include different speeds, different types of cars, the height, and shape of the drop off, non scrubbing tire conditions as well as tire scrubbing conditions. These studies evaluated how well a driver can return to the road and recover within their own lane of travel after encountering a drop off.
The issue with the studies is they were done with professional drivers during controlled conditions, so it is hard to determine the impact of drop offs on normal drivers in regular driving conditions. However, it is determined that drop offs on roadways do cause a threat that needs to be addressed.
The Safety Edge
There are many benefits to installing safety edges on roadways aside from preventing accidents, although this is the main purpose. Safety edges provide a stronger density to the edge of the road that makes the pavement of the road more durable. This will reduce the edge from raveling resulting in less road maintenance being necessary
While adding a simple device to provide a 30 degree angle can be used, this will typically not consolidate the asphalt and only cuts the pavement into the right position. This will leave an open edge that is more likely to break off.
The safety edge can be used on both asphalt and concrete pavement when the edge is connected to an unpaved surface. The safety edge is inexpensive and the benefits are numerous. There is typically less than 1% more asphalt needed in order to install this type of edge to the road. Additionally, with fewer accidents along the road ways, cities and counties will be reimbursed the amount spent on installing the safety edge tenfold.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website or the web site linked here in are not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice, diagnosis or treatment. In addition, viewing the content on these websites, requesting additional information, or transmitting information through a contact form does not form an attorney-client relationship with the sponsoring attorney. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case or scientific study and do not represent a promise or guaranty regarding similar outcome or causes. The information on this site is intended for educational purposes only and should never interfere with a patient/site visitor and his or her healthcare provider. Internet subscribers or online readers should not act upon any information contained herein without seeking professional legal and/or medical advice. This firm is licensed to practice law only in the state of California, but is affiliated with a network of licensed attorneys in other states. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. PersonalInjury.org and JD Law Group make no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, currentness, or timeliness of the content, text or graphics. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
Why Vehicles Leave the Road
There are several factors that may lead to a car venturing off road. These include simple driver errors, bad surface conditions, or to avoid hitting an object, animal, or another vehicle. When the vehicle leaves the road, the drop off of the pavement can potentially be hazardous because of the significant difference in the vertical surfaces. Leaving the road can affect the driver's ability to be able to handle the vehicle effectively.
Impact of Drop Offs
There are numerous studies that have been done to test a driver's ability to respond to encountering a drop off under different conditions. The variables used in the study include different speeds, different types of cars, the height, and shape of the drop off, non scrubbing tire conditions as well as tire scrubbing conditions. These studies evaluated how well a driver can return to the road and recover within their own lane of travel after encountering a drop off.
The issue with the studies is they were done with professional drivers during controlled conditions, so it is hard to determine the impact of drop offs on normal drivers in regular driving conditions. However, it is determined that drop offs on roadways do cause a threat that needs to be addressed.
The Safety Edge
There are many benefits to installing safety edges on roadways aside from preventing accidents, although this is the main purpose. Safety edges provide a stronger density to the edge of the road that makes the pavement of the road more durable. This will reduce the edge from raveling resulting in less road maintenance being necessary
While adding a simple device to provide a 30 degree angle can be used, this will typically not consolidate the asphalt and only cuts the pavement into the right position. This will leave an open edge that is more likely to break off.
The safety edge can be used on both asphalt and concrete pavement when the edge is connected to an unpaved surface. The safety edge is inexpensive and the benefits are numerous. There is typically less than 1% more asphalt needed in order to install this type of edge to the road. Additionally, with fewer accidents along the road ways, cities and counties will be reimbursed the amount spent on installing the safety edge tenfold.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website or the web site linked here in are not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice, diagnosis or treatment. In addition, viewing the content on these websites, requesting additional information, or transmitting information through a contact form does not form an attorney-client relationship with the sponsoring attorney. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case or scientific study and do not represent a promise or guaranty regarding similar outcome or causes. The information on this site is intended for educational purposes only and should never interfere with a patient/site visitor and his or her healthcare provider. Internet subscribers or online readers should not act upon any information contained herein without seeking professional legal and/or medical advice. This firm is licensed to practice law only in the state of California, but is affiliated with a network of licensed attorneys in other states. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. PersonalInjury.org and JD Law Group make no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, currentness, or timeliness of the content, text or graphics. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
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