America's Killer Roads

Examples in other countries like Sweden show that simple infrastructural devices can greatly reduce accidents, according to Mark Rosenberg, a former assistant attorney general.

"They showed that this could be done cheaply. When Mylar - a strong polyester film - is supported by closely spaced plastic poles, it can keep cars from crossing the median. When the Swedes used this type of center barrier to separate the traffic going in opposite directions, they effectively prevented head-on collisions and the death rate on these roads fell by 70 percent to 80 percent."