Oregon Bans Installation of Controversial Guardrail

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Oregon has become the latest state to join Texas, Virginia and over thirty other states to ban the installation of a controversial highway safety device. The ET-Plus guardrail end terminal is designed by Trinity Industries. The company is the subject of much scrutiny after a Texas court found them guilty of defrauding the federal government.

Many experts say the guardrail head in question has been malfunctioning. The ET-Plus is designed to bring colliding vehicles to a stop by peeling away the sides of the guardrail aside, folding the sharp material backward to safely slow the cars. Instead, the guardrail end terminal has been known to puncture the vehicles, plunging into the cabin of the cars and injuring passengers. Some have even reported losing limbs in accidents with the ET-Plus.

This malfunction is believed to be a direct result of a product redesign that went unreported to federal regulators when the change was made in 2005. The change, a one inch reduction in size of a metal piece, reportedly saved Trinity Industries a few dollars per guardrail. Unfortunately, the change also made their product far less safe.

Statesmanjournal.com says that the Oregon Department of Transportation is unaware of any accidents made worse by this model of guardrail end terminal, but are checking over accident reports. Until Trinity Industries prove their product is safe, no new ET-Plus guardrail heads will be installed on Oregon highways. Still, it is troubling to know there are countless numbers of this product still on the roads across the country.

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