Mississippi state transportation officials have decided to stop using controversial guardrails sold and shipped by Trinity Industries Inc. The ET-Plus guardrails in question may violate safety standards.

Highway guardrail heads are supposed to push vehicles off to the side by folding backward under the weight of colliding cars. The ET-Plus doesn’t do this. Instead, the end terminal pierces the front of vehicles, often injuring passengers and sometimes even amputating limbs. The original design, the ET-2000, did not malfunction in this way.

At this time, the Mississippi Department of Transportation is in the process of making note of where the guardrails are installed throughout the state.

Mississippi joins many others in banning the ET-Plus guardrail system, including Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia, Vermont, Hawaii, Colorado, Connecticut, Arizona and Louisiana.

Trinity Industries Inc. will hold off on selling its system until additional testing is complete.

Mississippi has spent a lot of money with the company in the past, with records showing a total of $1.2 million over the last 10 years. A Mississippi Department of Transportation spokesperson said the following:

“We have not experienced any issues with this product in our state, and there have been no reports of any faulty ET-Plus guardrail end treatments installed on MDOT right of way.”

While this may be true for now, the state realizes how important it is to stop installing this guardrail system, at least until additional safety tests are conducted.

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