Truck Tests Cable Barrier

An accident Thursday morning backed up traffic for nearly a mile on the Houston Harte Expressway. However it could have been worse if it wasnt for a newly installed cable barrier. KSANs Jason Calder spoke with Texas Department of Transportation officials about the incident and how lives were saved thanks to the device. An accident on the Houston Harte Expressway caused some tense moments for morning rush hour traffic. 45-year-old Jeffrey Waldrop began to have diabetic problems while driving causing him to hit a light pole and crash into the newly installed cable barriers. "During the morning, especially between 7:30 and 8:00 you have quite a bit of traffic so theres plenty of room for an incident." Donald Peterson, a TX-DOT Engineer says the cable barriers have been effective in protecting motorists across the state. "Theyve been used pretty much throughout the state, San Antonio, Dallas and theyve worked so far," said Peterson. The three-quarter inch cables were put to the test to find out if they could save motorists from a major accident while saving lives at the same time. "These cables are meant to prevent a head-collision and thats what they did, prevented a head-on collision." Peterson said its easy to understand how the barriers work. "Once the cable receives that impact, it will deflect some on the other side of the cable a couple of feet and then it will bring the vehicle to its original position where it hit it," he said. About 250 feet of the cable and 12 posts were knocked out because of the accident. The damage will be easy to fix and doesnt effect other parts of the barrier system. Peterson said, "Its all replaced manually. This comes out and its got room to give. Then you put your new pole in and thats it, youre ready to go." The most important part about the incident was that it prevented what could have been a more serious situation. "If we didnt have this cable barrier this morning, there was a great possibility we could have had a head on collision and somebody might have passed away at this accident," said Peterson. Luckily no one passed away and the cable barrier proved that it will save more lives in the future. Waldrop wasnt seriously injured in the accident. Damages to the barrier are estimated to be $4,000.