Higher speed limit on H.E. Bailey Turnpike raises concern for guardrail safety

Hunter Elyse/ KFOR
·3 min read
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CHICKASHA, Okla. (KFOR) — The speed limit increase to 80 mph on parts of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike has national safety advocate Stephen Eimers worried for Oklahoma drivers.

Eimers lost his daughter, Hannah, in a guardrail crash in 2016 which led him to become an advocate for road safety across the country.

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“My daughter was traveling north on interstate 75 in Tennessee, and an X-Lite guardrail speared into her vehicle as she was on her way to school,” said Stephen Eimers, “The Guardrail Guy.”

Hannah’s death led Eimers to ask questions about the safety of guard rails and said he found a lot of issues related to crash testing.

“Over a thousand people have died on our interstates around America, including in Oklahoma. And not one of them has had a terminal tested to the posted speeds,” said Eimers.

News 4 reached out to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to ask about guard rails where the speed limits are now 80.

They couldn’t comment on Eimers concerns, but did mention that all guardrail standards on the turnpike are set by the federal government.

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In a report by the Federal Highway Administration, guardrails help lessen the severity of crashes.

The report also said their test is done with cars driving 62 mph, so if a car hits a guard rail at a higher speed, it may not be as efficient.

“With this new 80 mile per hour speed zone, it highlights that potential discrepancy between 62 and an 80. That’s a big difference,” said Eimers.

Eimers said he wants to see change in Oklahoma.

“I’m out there fighting for the next victim. I just hope to see that Oklahoma DOT takes this seriously,” said Eimers.

News 4 also reached out to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Since the new higher speed limits are on the turnpike, they forwarded us to OTA.

OTA sent the following statement regarding the new speed limits and guardrails.

The I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike recently saw an increased speed limit from 75 mph to 80 mph between Chickasha and Lawton in Comanche, Caddo and Grady counties. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority prioritizes the safety of the traveling public in all its decisions. Several factors determine speed limits on the turnpike system including pavement smoothness and the 80th percentile speed of existing traffic. OTA recently completed a pavement rehabilitation project in this area that helped meet the criteria for the speed limit increase.
While the posted speed limit of 80 mph is now in place, we would remind motorists that is the maximum speed the turnpike is rated for at this 􀆟me during good conditions. Motorists are urged to always remain vigilant and to lower their speed during inclement conditions.
The agency has two projects planned for later this summer to reconstruct the shoulders and guardrail on the I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike between Fletcher and Newcastle as a part of routine maintenance in the area.

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

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