Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Today in the News: U.S. drone strike accidentally kills 2 hostages Today in the News: Judge approves historic NFL concussion lawsuit settlement Today in the News: Tsarnaev sentencing phase begins Today in the News: Migrants drown when boat bound for Europe capsizes Morning Jolt: Why the Internet is melting over the new 'Star Wars' trailer Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Politics and Elections Education Environment State News Nation - World Coast Guard: Second body found in Alabama waters, 5 missing Aftershocks terrify survivors of Nepal quake that killed 2,500 Japan farmers cultivate rice's mystique as barrier to deal Protesters in tense standoff with police in Baltimore Protests in Baltimore over man's death in police custody Obituaries Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Scientists find missing link in Yellowstone plumbing: This giant volcano is very much alive Hella g8t straight guy's promposal to gay bff is awesome If you know what 'Skinnamarinky dinky dink' means, you are probably sad today Where does the U.S. rank in world happiness? Not in the top 10. Swiss are #1 Can human activity cause earthquakes? Scientists think so Sports Latest Stories Aaron Hernandez found guilty of first-degree murder Jordan Spieth, 21, captures Masters victory for the ages Jordan Spieth sets lowest 36-hole score in Masters history Ken Willis: Tiger makes strides, but Spieth makes the headlines at Masters 5 things to take away from Duke's 5th national championship Varsity 541 College Sports Pro Sports Community Sports Business Latest Stories Real Estate News People In Business Transportation Agriculture Opinion Latest Editorials Letters to the Editor Columns Guest Opinions Lifestyle Latest stories 'Mortal Kombat X' and why we push the boundaries of violence in video games 'Age of Adaline': 3 points for parents The Clean Cut: Blindfolded children search for mom Sheriff of Nottingham: A merry tale of fun, laughter and negotiation 5 things to know about listeria, in light of the Blue Bell recall Food Why bacon is the best The worst food outbreaks in the US Beyond peanuts and Cracker Jack: Six unusual ballpark snacks Foods worth committing a crime for Home and Garden 5 ways you can save water at home Health 5 things to know about listeria, in light of the Blue Bell recall Hiking Biking Faith 'Mortal Kombat X' and why we push the boundaries of violence in video games 'Age of Adaline': 3 points for parents The Clean Cut: Blindfolded children search for mom Sheriff of Nottingham: A merry tale of fun, laughter and negotiation How car reliance is squeezing the middle class Milestones and Achievements Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Theater Music Community Events Movies Dining Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Parents upset that Schneider Children's Center at SOU will close ... Pair who escaped North Bend prison includes Jackson County man ... Our View: Sensation and sensibility: a balancing act ... Parents upset that Schneider Children's Center at SOU will close ... Pair who escaped North Bend prison includes Jackson County man ... Our View: Sensation and sensibility: a balancing act ... I-5 SAFETY New cable fence stops out-of-control SUV Vehicle was headed for oncoming I-5 lanes A new cable barrier between I-5 lanes stopped a vehicle from crossing into oncoming lanes. Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 9, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 9, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News A new cable barrier near Valley of the Rogue State Park stopped an out-of-control SUV from crossing over into oncoming traffic in I-5 northbound lanes. The cable barrier is similar in appearance to a fence stretching down the grassy median between north and southbound lanes. The collision knocked down a row of metal posts, but the cable wires strung along the median remain up at the crash site. Over the summer, the Oregon Department of Transportation installed the system of metal poles and cables on two curving sections of I-5 near Valley of the Rogue State Park. This month, the cable barrier captured a southbound Nissan Pathfinder that crossed into the median near Exit 43 and was headed for northbound lanes, said ODOT Spokesman Gary Leaming. "The cable barrier is so we don't have those horrific crossover collisions," Leaming said. The cables act like giant steel rubber bands, absorbing energy and deflecting vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic, he said. After crashing into the barrier, the driver was able to leave the scene in his vehicle, but left behind a license plate. "It was his calling card for law enforcement to pay him a visit," Leaming said, noting the driver didn't report the accident. The driver was cited for hit-and-run by Oregon State Police. ODOT will be billing the driver's insurance company about $9,000 to repair the cable barrier, Leaming said. "If a driver hits state property like a guard rail, barrier or bridge, we try to recover those costs. Otherwise, it's not fair to taxpayers, and it also comes out of our budget and prevents us from doing other important work," Leaming said. The cable barrier will be repaired soon, he said. It was built as part of a $6.2 million I-5 paving project, according to ODOT. Leaming said cable barriers are less expensive than traditional concrete barriers. Cable barriers cost $15 per square foot compared to $80 per square foot for concrete barriers, he said. The cable barriers have more give than concrete and may be safer for drivers who lose control, Leaming said. "If you hit a concrete barrier, it's like hitting a brick wall," he said. Compared to no median barriers, states that have installed cable barriers report a decrease in median-crossing crash fatalities of 90 percent or more, according to the Washington Department of Transportation. Out-of-control vehicles heading into oncoming lanes can prove deadly. ODOT is expediting the installation of cable barriers in the Salem area after two fatal crashes in September and October involving collisions between oncoming traffic and out-of-control vehicles that crossed medians. Among the three people killed was Oregon State Hospital psychiatrist Steven Fritz, husband of Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz. Fritz and his passenger both died after being hit by an oncoming pickup truck that vaulted an earthen berm and crossed into their I-5 lane, The Oregonian reported. According to ODOT, cable barriers can reduce the number of crossover crashes, but can't prevent all such crashes. The cables don't stop vehicles, but are designed to keep most from crossing into oncoming traffic. Low vehicles can slip under the cables, and large SUVs and semi trailers can crash through the barriers, according to ODOT. Leaming said concrete barriers can't always stop semi trailers, either, depending on the angle and speed that a truck strikes a barrier. Most concrete barriers are pinned in place, while some are poured in place to make them even stronger, he said. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 9, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501