Question

You may have noticed that barriers between lanes on highways have plastic ends before the concrete begins. These plastic barricades are meant to make accidental crashes with the barriers safer. They accomplish this goal by...

Answer 1

The plastic barricades on highways before concrete barriers reduce the force on vehicles and passengers during collisions by increasing the time of impact.

Step-by-step explanation:

The plastic barricades before the concrete barriers on highways are meant to make accidental crashes safer by reducing the force on vehicles and passengers during a collision. They accomplish this by increasing the time of impact, which decreases the force experienced.

This is similar to the concept of crumple zones in cars. When a car collides, the plastic components in the front of the car crumple, absorbing the energy of the impact and increasing the time over which the force is applied. This reduces the force on the passengers, making the collision safer.

In both cases, the plastic materials and design allow for a longer collision time, which reduces the force on the vehicle and passengers, helping to prevent injuries and fatalities.