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Collapsible Guardrail Is a Life-Saver on Central Coast

Collapsible Guardrail Is a Life-Saver on Central Coast

This image taken from Google Maps appears to show Caltrans preparing to install a collapsing mechanism at the El Sueno Road exit in Santa Barbara – a safety feature that in early April may well have saved a motorist’s life.

The following letter was sent to District 5’s headquarters in San Luis Obispo.

Hello Caltrans:

In the early afternoon of Saturday, April 6, my husband was driving his pickup west on Highway 101 in Santa Barbara. He got drowsy and remembers thinking that he should pull off and turn around.

The next thing he recalls, he is waking up to the impact of crashing into the end of a guardrail at the El Sueno Road exit. This is equipped with a collapsing mechanism so that his truck was brought to a gradual stop, instead of what would have happened if he went into the trees just south of the rail, or if he had gotten through the exit and into traffic. He had some bruises from the seatbelt impact and felt sore inside for a while.

Clearly, though, the clever collapsing guardrail saved his life and prevented what could have been far more serious injuries.

So, this is a note of appreciation.

Best to you all,

Mark Benson
Santa Barbara