When Safety Features Kill: A Look at the X-LITE Guardrail Tragedy (2023)

Every year, thousands of Americans die in car accidents. To minimize the damage caused by crashes, highway safety features such as guardrails have been installed on major roads and highways across the country. Guardrails are supposed to redirect a vehicle away from a potentially deadly impact, but in some cases, they have caused more harm than good. One such case is the X-LITE guardrail, which has been linked to multiple fatal accidents across the United States.

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What is the X-LITE Guardrail?

The X-LITE guardrail is a type of guardrail designed to redirect a vehicle during a crash. It is made of steel and consists of a series of small, rectangular plates that are bolted together. The guardrail is designed to telescope upon impact, which helps to absorb the energy of the crash and slow down the vehicle. The X-LITE guardrail has been installed on highways in over 20 states across the United States.

The Tragedy of the X-LITE Guardrail

The X-LITE guardrail has been linked to multiple fatal accidents across the United States. In these accidents, the guardrail failed to redirect the vehicle away from the impact, instead impaling the car and causing severe injuries or death to the driver and passengers. In some cases, the guardrail even pierced through the car, leading to a gruesome scene.

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One of the most high-profile cases involving the X-LITE guardrail was the death of Hannah Eimers. Hannah was a 17-year-old girl from Tennessee who died in a car crash in November 2016. The guardrail on the side of the road impaled her vehicle, and the end of the guardrail speared through the driver’s side door, striking her in the head and chest, killing her instantly. Her father, Steve Eimers, has been a vocal advocate for the removal of the X-LITE guardrail from American highways ever since.

The Failure of Safety Testing

The X-LITE guardrail underwent safety testing before being approved for use on American highways. However, the testing did not take into account all possible crash scenarios, and the guardrail was never tested at speeds over 62 miles per hour. Additionally, there were concerns about the integrity of the guardrail’s design, with some experts noting that the end terminal of the X-LITE guardrail was too weak to withstand a high-speed impact.

A Call for Action

The X-LITE guardrail tragedy has sparked a call for action from safety advocates and government officials alike. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a warning to states that use the X-LITE guardrail, advising them to consider alternative options. Some states have already begun to remove the X-LITE guardrail from their highways, while others have suspended installations until further safety testing can be conducted.

Conclusion

It was designed to save lives, but it has instead caused more harm than good. The failure of safety testing and the design flaws of the guardrail has resulted in multiple fatal accidents across the United States. It is imperative that the FHWA and state governments take swift action to remove the X-LITE guardrail from American highways and replace it with a safer alternative.

FAQs

What is the X-LITE guardrail?

It is a type of guardrail designed to redirect a vehicle during a crash. It is made of steel and consists of a series of small, rectangular plates that are bolted together.

What are the flaws in its design?

The end terminal of it was too weak to withstand a high-speed impact, which caused it to fail in redirecting the vehicle and instead impale it.

How many states have used it?

It has been installed on highways in over 20 states across the United States.

Has the FHWA taken any action regarding it?

Yes, the FHWA has issued a warning to states that use it, advising them to consider alternative options.

What is the alternative to it?

There are several alternatives to it, such as the MASH-compliant guardrails or the ET-Plus guardrail.