Kentucky Secretary of Transportation Mike Hancock believes there to be hundreds of potentially malfunctioning guardrail end terminals on the state’s roads and highways. WLWT.com reports that Kentucky state regulators are investigating the use of the ET-Plus model of guardrail cap and whether it should have a future on their roads.

The ET-Plus is under much scrutiny after their manufacturer, Trinity Industries, recently was found guilty of defrauding the federal government. They failed to alert regulators to design changes made back in 2005. The design change, a size reduction of just a few inches, is said to be responsible for the product’s malfunctions.

Highway guardrail end terminals are designed to absorb the pressure of colliding vehicles by forcing the sides of the guardrail to fold backward and away from the oncoming cars. Instead, the ET-Plus has been known to spear through crashing cars and injure passengers. Some have even had limbs amputated by the sharp guardrail sides.

If Kentucky chooses to ban the ET-Plus from their list of approved products, they will be in good company: over thirty states have already done so, with more joining in every week. Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock says they will wait for the results of newly conducted crash tests to make the ultimate decision about the future of the model.

Seriously Injured in an Accident Involving a Guardrail?

Our Guardrail Injury Lawyers are currently investigating serious and fatal guardrail accidents related to this untested guardrail design. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident with a guardrail, contact our attorneys to discuss your legal options. We offer a free, no obligation, case evaluation – Get Help Now 877-544-5323