What is the primary benefit of median barriers on highways?

The primary benefit of median barriers on highways is to reduce head-on collisions. These barriers serve as a physical separation between lanes of opposing traffic. In the event that a vehicle veers out of its lane, the median barrier helps prevent it from crossing over into oncoming traffic. This is particularly important on high-speed roadways where the severity of collisions can be significantly higher. By effectively minimizing the likelihood of vehicles colliding head-on, median barriers contribute to overall roadway safety and can significantly lower the number of serious injuries and fatalities in such incidents.

While enhancing visibility and providing rest areas are important aspects of highway safety management, the principal function of median barriers is specifically focused on collision prevention. Similarly, while they may indirectly influence traffic flow by reducing accidents, their primary design aim is to safeguard against head-on impacts.