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I've always wanted highway response crews to come equipped with unfoldable response screens. Something like a nice 20' screen which would block off the view of

I've always wanted highway response crews to come equipped with unfoldable response screens. Something like a nice 20' screen which would block off the view of the accident from the opposing lane. I've always thought a considerable about of time, money, and perhaps life could be saved by such a policy. It was nice to finally see an article that explained why I don't see such a thing.

antiismist 18y ago
I thought about this, and I don't think it would work. From the response crew's perspective, they want a massive traffic jam, because the cars are moving slower and paying more attention. So the response crews who would have to put up the screen would have an incentive to oppose it.
- zenspider 18y ago
  I sorta agree, and I sorta disagree... Here in Seattle I've been held up for over an hour on the 520 bridge because of an accident THE OTHER DIRECTION. Having screens would prevent rubber necking on the other side of the highway (with a large cement barrier in between). Also, I think you can do a lot to the screen itself to increase driver safety. Make it 15' high and entirely yellow/black diagonal stripes and it'll catch driver's attention and get them to slow down. TV and radio educational ads can help too.
- dkokelley 18y ago
  What about for opposing lanes? A wreck going the other way is still a sight and both directions will slow to sneak a peek. The article also mentioned that because of the spectacle, drivers are paying less attention to the road and looking at the wreck, causing secondary accidents. Then again, a tarp with emergency vehicles is another reason for drivers to slow down and look at something, according to the article. The trick is to find something so mundane that drivers won't bother slowing down.
dkokelley 18y ago
I think an advertisement printed on the tarp would help to avoid the rubbernecking. We're already great at ignoring billboards and other ads. Then again... because so many people take the time to slow down and look at the wrecks, why not take advantage of the extra eyeballs and put up signs with ads on them?
- Swervo 18y ago
  That may be the best idea I've ever heard. Bravo.

antiismist 18y ago

I thought about this, and I don't think it would work. From the response crew's perspective, they want a massive traffic jam, because the cars are moving slower and paying more attention. So the response crews who would have to put up the screen would have an incentive to oppose it.

zenspider 18y ago
I sorta agree, and I sorta disagree... Here in Seattle I've been held up for over an hour on the 520 bridge because of an accident THE OTHER DIRECTION. Having screens would prevent rubber necking on the other side of the highway (with a large cement barrier in between). Also, I think you can do a lot to the screen itself to increase driver safety. Make it 15' high and entirely yellow/black diagonal stripes and it'll catch driver's attention and get them to slow down. TV and radio educational ads can help too.
dkokelley 18y ago
What about for opposing lanes? A wreck going the other way is still a sight and both directions will slow to sneak a peek. The article also mentioned that because of the spectacle, drivers are paying less attention to the road and looking at the wreck, causing secondary accidents. Then again, a tarp with emergency vehicles is another reason for drivers to slow down and look at something, according to the article. The trick is to find something so mundane that drivers won't bother slowing down.

dkokelley 18y ago

I think an advertisement printed on the tarp would help to avoid the rubbernecking. We're already great at ignoring billboards and other ads. Then again... because so many people take the time to slow down and look at the wrecks, why not take advantage of the extra eyeballs and put up signs with ads on them?

Swervo 18y ago
That may be the best idea I've ever heard. Bravo.