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First two smash hits in Australia
Posted on Des 08, 2009 - 01:34 PM
Lattix have only recently begun deploying signpost solutions in Australia. Already, two Lattix signposts have been hit “down under”. No injuries were sustained in the accidents.
The first accident involving a Lattix mast in Australia occurred when a vehicle travelling on the Kwinana Freeway south of Perth lost control and mounted the kerb before smashing into a signpost. There were no injuries sustained. Police are investigating.
- This crash is proof that Lattix saves lives, ASP Group Lattix Manager Mr Peter Hawthorne said.
- The vehicle broke its wheels and sump on the semi mountable kerb before it hit the Lattix. It basically was on its belly after hitting the kerb. The outcome could have been tragic. If a Universal Column type slip base post had have been installed a solid stub would have snagged on the chassis or floor pan of the vehicle. It would have come to a very sudden stop. As the picture shows the vehicle continued through impact with the Lattix post, said Hawthorne.
Second crash into Lattix
The driver of a vehicle travelling on Reservoir Rd, in a suburb of Cairns, lost control, spun and slid sideways into a Lattix post. The post had been deployed only one month earlier, and carried a solar powered Speed Activated Sign (SAS). The SAS sign illuminates when the radar detects a speeding vehicle. It was warning speeding drivers to slow down because there is a sight disadvantaged intersection with a history of high speed crashes.
No-one were injured in the accident. A spokesman from Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads said they were very happy with the way that Lattix behaved in the crash.
- It was a great decision by the Engineer running the trial to use Lattix at this site. That decision has reaped reward already, Peter Hawthorne said.
SAS signs prevent accidents
The SAS signs are designed and manufactured by the British company Solagen. The sign only illuminate when a vehicle is travelling faster than the other 85% of motorists. Studies have shown a 33% reduction in crashes where the signs were posted. In the case of the Reservoir road crash, the car was already out of control before being detected by the radar. The sign did not cause the crash.
For information on the Solagen SAS sign range in Australia, please contact Chris Hutchings from Pioneerzsafety on 0434 983 879. Web site: www.pioneerzsafety.com
For more information on the Solagen systems internationally, please see the Solagen web-site: www.solagen.com