Tree not guard rail saves 4WD - design flaw?

Eric Frei · 6th December 2010, 07:30 AM

Have a look at the guard rail in this picture, not even a dent.

With the volume of 4wd's around maybe it's time to change the design.

Had the tree not have been there then what?

Makes you wonder about all the other locations where guard rails are, how about The Great Ocean road for example?

Tree saves woman from 30m drop | Toowoomba News | Local News in Toowoomba | Toowoomba Chronicle

Quote:

“The wet road has caused her to slide and she has crashed over the top of the guard rail and slid and faced a tree,” he said.

“She would have to be the luckiest lady as it was the only tree in the section and it saved her from a 100-foot drop.

“She was fine after the crash and was able to climb out and go to the neighbours to call for help.”

Firefighters and a tow truck were called to remove the car.

A few hours later a car was located abandoned in a culvert on the New England Highway at Missen Flat, near Clifton about 7.20pm.

Snr Const. Burton said the young driver had lost control after breaking heavily and aquaplaned off the road.

Jeff Darby · 6th December 2010, 11:27 AM

In all fairness it is a 4wd and looks as though it has a mild lift so a little speed and it would bump up and over that rail easy. You would be surprized to see a 4wd's capability in the hands of an experienced driver. They can near on go any where !

The tree definately stopped her from a much scarier decent maybe life threatening, but with out seeing the grade and other obstacles it's hard to say.

Eric Frei · 6th December 2010, 02:31 PM

That's the highway on the Toowoomba range, millions travel it.

Then again, was a woman driver.

Garry Brockley · 6th December 2010, 08:27 PM

Holy cow she was a lucky woman maybe there should be higher barriers along those areas and compulsive skid pan training for all drivers.

gooddog · 1st January 2011, 01:29 AM

Wow! It sure would have been a memorable ride if that tree didn't catch her. Yeeeaaaaaahhh!!!!

htpd43 · 5th January 2011, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Frei

Have a look at the guard rail in this picture, not even a dent.

With the volume of 4wd's around maybe it's time to change the design.

Had the tree not have been there then what?

Makes you wonder about all the other locations where guard rails are, how about The Great Ocean road for example?

Tree saves woman from 30m drop | Toowoomba News | Local News in Toowoomba | Toowoomba Chronicle

Based on several crash classes that I've been to, I would say that she hit the tree on an angle, like possibly from the direction that the photo was taken from. Once the tree was hit the vehicle rotated around so that it was perpendicular to the roadway. I doubt that that vehicle is capable of going over the guard rail without contact damage. Those rails a not designed for a perpendicular crash, rather they are designed to deflect a vehicle or guide it away from going off road. In the crash classes they are referred to as guide rails not guard rails. If you look at the grass near the vehicle it looks like it was knocked down..... possibly by the vehicle. Without other pictures or first hand knowledge I am only guessing and i could be way wrong. I've seen cars do crazy things.
Lou

Eric Frei · 6th January 2011, 07:12 PM

I don't think so as there's no way to get to the tree without going over the rail, I know that road well.

Also look at the height of the removed bark up the tree, that car jumped the rail alright.

Daniel Janjic · 23rd January 2011, 04:10 PM

Just hope they dont install those multi-strand cable ones. I bet they are cheaper to repair and would catch vehicles well, though imagine coming off a bike and hitting one, they don't call them "Cheese cutters" for nothing!

Eric Frei · 23rd January 2011, 04:31 PM

I saw on TV footage of how the cable cuts through even cars and near on cut a guys leg off!

Bad idea frankly.

6th December 2010, 11:27 AM	#2
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,059	Re: Tree not guard rail saves 4WD - design flaw? In all fairness it is a 4wd and looks as though it has a mild lift so a little speed and it would bump up and over that rail easy. You would be surprized to see a 4wd's capability in the hands of an experienced driver. They can near on go any where ! The tree definately stopped her from a much scarier decent maybe life threatening, but with out seeing the grade and other obstacles it's hard to say. __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011

6th December 2010, 02:31 PM	#3
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,996	Re: Tree not guard rail saves 4WD - design flaw? That's the highway on the Toowoomba range, millions travel it. Then again, was a woman driver. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

6th December 2010, 08:27 PM	#4
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Tree not guard rail saves 4WD - design flaw? Holy cow she was a lucky woman maybe there should be higher barriers along those areas and compulsive skid pan training for all drivers. __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

1st January 2011, 01:29 AM	#5
gooddog Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: USA Wisconsin Posts: 72	Re: Tree not guard rail saves 4WD - design flaw? Wow! It sure would have been a memorable ride if that tree didn't catch her. Yeeeaaaaaahhh!!!!

6th January 2011, 07:12 PM	#7
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,996	Re: Tree not guard rail saves 4WD - design flaw? I don't think so as there's no way to get to the tree without going over the rail, I know that road well. Also look at the height of the removed bark up the tree, that car jumped the rail alright. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

23rd January 2011, 04:10 PM	#8
Daniel Janjic Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NSW Posts: 111	Re: Tree not guard rail saves 4WD - design flaw? Just hope they dont install those multi-strand cable ones. I bet they are cheaper to repair and would catch vehicles well, though imagine coming off a bike and hitting one, they don't call them "Cheese cutters" for nothing! __________________ Cheer's Dano http://www.treelove.com.au

23rd January 2011, 04:31 PM	#9
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,996	Re: Tree not guard rail saves 4WD - design flaw? I saw on TV footage of how the cable cuts through even cars and near on cut a guys leg off! Bad idea frankly. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

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