Why Are Breakaway Signposts Important?
Breakaway signposts have been a tremendous step forward for the safety of drivers on highways and other large roadways. Before these posts were created and put into production, signposts were one of the most dangerous objects a driver could run into. Originally, signposts were made from extremely strong metal and were fastened deep into the ground so that the signs would not be blown away during storms or times with very high-powered winds. These posts were incredibly dangerous for drivers because the strongest part of these posts was at the bottom, where the thick metal posts were anchored far underground, and which was exactly where any car would hit had it crashed into the sign. The Federal Highway Association (FHWA) correctly viewed this as a major problem and decided to take action by beginning to require breakaway signposts on almost every major roadway that signs were installed.
Breakaway signposts have been around since the 1950s, though not required until much later. Many of the first posts were wooden posts that were simply sawed halfway apart so that when a car was driven into it, it would break very easily. However, over time, and as requirements became more stringent, advancements in the technology increased greatly. In 1969, the state of New Jersey used a design, created by an engineer named Richard A. Stritzki, as its main design for the signposts on the Southwestern section of Interstate 295 below Trenton. Their design is called a coupling; it was created to withstand 80-100 MPH winds, and yet still break off when under even slight pressure at its base so that should a driver run into the post, that driver would feel almost no speed change. In a New York Times article written in 1969 titled, Jersey Designs Highway Signs That Break Away When Struck, the design is explained,
The department's solution supports the post on four sections of steel, bolted to the post and cemented into the foundation in the ground below. The bolts are carefully tapered to snap off easily while under local impact while remaining strong enough to stand up firmly to overhead gales.
The signposts that are used today are similar to the posts used back then in New Jersey, though there have also been many upgrades to each form of the breakaway signposts. One of the greater enhancements has been on the wooden posts. Originally the wooden posts were simply cut halfway through the post, now however, there are generally four holes that are drilled in specific spots on the posts giving it more strength than simply cutting it, and also allowing the post to be struck from any angle and still break.
There are now numerous different types of signposts as well. Not only are there couplings and wooden posts, but also there are over thirteen other options. Breakaway signposts have become one of the most significant developments in driving safety. These posts have saved countless lives as people have accidentally swerved off a road and crashed into them. Instead of slamming into the post and surely having a post break through the windshield, these posts will generally harmlessly break off, and the driver will barely noticed having hit it. Breakaway signposts are important for every driver because there is always a possibility of being knocked off the road and these posts only make the life of the driver who unfortunately will have that possibility come true, safer.
? Joseph Glatman Zaretsky