WIRE rope barriers used on the Hume Highway are a major safety threat to drivers and motorbike riders, according to Independent Riders’ Group spokesman Damien Codognotto.
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He said the poles and wires could easily cause amputations and leave riders “horribly mutilated”.
“People are being killed and horribly mutilated all over the country,” he said,
“Yet they continue to use wire rope barriers, which is against all commonsense.
Mr Codognotto said when visiting the Border that the barriers’ exposed posts did most of the damage.
“The authorities don’t collect the data on crashes so that we can actually compare the road safety value of various types of barriers,” he said.
Mr Codognotto said apart from the danger to riders, the barriers did not stop heavy vehicles leaving the road.
Another issue was that damaged barriers were not being repaired, with damage caused to barriers in a Holbrook truck crash on November 6 still unfixed.
Mr Codognotto said W-Beam barriers and smooth concrete barriers provided better protection at a better long-term price.
“The politics around it is a bit messy,” he said.
“Roads and Maritime Services and VicRoads look after some, local councils look after others and the federal government is involved with funding.
“We’ve made representations to Parliaments all around Australia and it’s been raised by Labor and Liberal governments all around the country.”
But VicRoads regional director Bryan Sherritt said the barriers were a “proven safety method” and “incredibly important” for saving lives and reducing injuries.
“There is no evidence from research in Australia or overseas that indicates wire rope safety barriers increase the risk of injury to motorcyclists when compared with other barrier types,” he said.
“VicRoads will continue to improve protection for motorcyclists by fitting rub-rails to guard fence and post cushions to wire rope along many popular motorcycle routes.”
NSW Centre for Road Safety general manager Marg Prendegast noted the wires could better absorb crash forces compared with concrete and steel guardrails.
She said the centre was investigating all options to increase motorbike rider safety while maintaining safety for other road users.
