Concrete Barrier Posts - Bad Idea?

A drunk driver plowed through my retaining wall and across my front yard yesterday evening and came to a stop less than 10 feet from my daughter's bedroom wall. Luckily no one was hurt, but I'm worried about this happening again in the future. It has already happened three times in the past four months, but the car stopped in my neighbor's yard, who is on the corner (there is a sharp bend in the road). I was wondering if it is okay to install a couple concrete barrier posts at the corner of my lot to prevent this from happening again. My concern is with liability if someone were to hit the post(s) accidentally such as in icy road conditions and were to be injured by them. I don't have an HOA, so that is a non-issue.

 

This is the United States so you can be sued for almost anything. If you build a nice brick column to hold your mailbox you can be sued if someone hits it.

Trees are one thing I like. Since they are "natural" I think they attract legal attention as do large rocks. When I say large stones I mean ones that will take equipment to move. You can landscape around them so they are decorative but they can also serve a barrier purpose.

 

Great idea. A small boulder should add some security. I'll build the retaining wall a little higher there as well.

 

If the curve in the road presents a natural danger, could you not contact the DOT or city to have them erect a strip barricade of sorts?

 

Whatever you do make sure it is on YOUR property and not a government or utility easement.

 

Outside the box thought: Build a fountain flush with the ground about a foot deep. Heck, you could even have a waterfall down some small boulders.

 

Perhaps, but that could be quite the eyesore. I am going to contact the county to see if we can get some speed humps installed.

Thanks for mentioning that. The one place I was thinking of installing a boulder is to the right of my driveway entrance next to the telephone box. I could put another to the left of the driveway.

 

A retaining wall or enlarging your current one would help stop a vehicle. Unfortunately the wall would probably sustain damage and have to be re-built. A hassle and a mess even if the drunk has insurance to pay for the repair. There is not much that can hurt a 3-5 ton boulder.

 

The chances of an isolated boulder or two being hit by the next drunk aren't in your favor. Sure as shoot, he (or she) will snake their way between them and crash into the house.

If I (or my house) was in your position, I'd be inclined to install as many boulders as it takes, embedded in soil for half their depth, to form a protective screen around the sleeping room(s). Placing them close enough together that a vehicle couldn't squeeze past without self-destructing. Embedding them would lessen the likelihood of them rolling into the house when smacked.

 

IF it were my house, i'd be dropping 3T - 5T boulders in a row right across the front of the house 2' back from the limits of your mowing AND i'd be doing it immediately,,, by the time you putz around w/permits, etc, who to ask, can i do this ?, & other ****, YOU put your daughter's safety at risk,,, remember the phrase - exigent circumstances - sure as hell any govt employee will NOT have the same drive to resolve your issue as they only ' work ' 40hrs a wk, remember ? & that's IF we're lucky ! they'll need legal opinions, state dot opinions ( if state hgwy ), traffic consultants, surveys, ad nauseum,,, you have history on your side !!!!!!!!!

the idea is to STOP entrance, not deflect or guide it away,,, if the car's wrecked, so what ? drunks shouldn't be driving nor should those who can't properly operate their vehicles,,, this isn't as if you're creating an attractive nuisance on your property such as an unfenced pool or trampoline

did this @ my daughter's house up in pa - the township didn't like it, it was legal & kept the next 3 cars from running into their backyard,,, in the last 15yrs, 12 cars have hit the rock line & not 1 has wandered into the yard

now get to work - GOOD LUCK !

 

I agree with the boulder implantation, if it can be pulled off and left decorative.

The guardrail may be an eyesore, but not as much as the morning paper with a car stuck out the side of your house. Just sayin'

 

think i'll sue pilot dane

 

I agree large boulders would wor5k best. HOWEVER, tell know one that you are placing them as a barrier! If anyone asks, tell it is a decorative rock a garden and plat many flowers around it. The fact that you are placing a barrier will give a lawyer grounds to sue you! You hear that forum member! "UI hear none sink!"

Also make sure it is off the road right of way!

 

I spoke with the county and they are going to inquire about getting a 3-way stop put at the intersection right at the bend. That should hopefully help. A speed table may also be possible, but that will take a little longer.

 

How about a moat?


Tank traps?


Arrestor net?


And the ever popoular Jersey barrier.

 

Dane wrote: Well I did suggest a fountain, same idea. Great minds think alike.

 

isn't that just peachy - they're going to ' inquire ',,, i doubt drunks will pay more attn to stop signs than they would speed limit/dangerous curve ahead signs,,, they're already violating dui/dwi laws, aren't they ? 1 last point - its not the county's daughter who is at risk of injury or death,,, your family is YOUR responsibility,

haven't heard the term ' speed table ' before - what's that ? another sign ?

when you need cops right now, they're only a phone call & more minutes away,

 

We even have speed tables here in the boondock mountains. It is like a speed bump, but they are about 4' across and level out on top. They are hash marked so you can see them, and they are a little smoother on the suspension than rounded speed bumps, UNLESS you hit them at 30 MPH

 

chan, are they pvmt slots ? how they're formed - 2x2's & waxed paper when paving OR stacked diamond blades on a 65hp road saw ? never did any

 

I would say they are hand formed from asphalt and tapered on the leading and trailing edges. Never seen them installed, but they appear to be tough as nails as the ones we have must be 15 years old with no signs of degradation, except where some lo rider tries to go too fast.....scrape....scrape.

 

so its a hump in the road ? got it ! they're all over metro atl in n'hoods & suburban subdivisions, too tnx, chan merry Christmas !

how's work ? we're busier than a 1-armed paperhanger