What quality must a shoulder barrier possess?

• A. Located on straight sections of the road only
• B. Free from vegetation cover
• C. Located along road edges with drop-offs over 3m
• D. Constructed with recycled materials

Answer: (C)

A shoulder barrier is specifically designed to enhance the safety of roadways, particularly in situations where there is a significant risk of vehicles losing control and potentially driving off the road, especially near steep drop-offs. For a shoulder barrier to be effective, it must be strategically placed along road edges that have a drop-off of more than 3 meters. This requirement ensures that the barrier can adequately prevent vehicles from falling into dangerous areas, thereby reducing the risk of serious accidents.

The other options, while possibly relevant in different contexts, do not address the primary function of a shoulder barrier. For instance, while being free from vegetation cover can be beneficial for visibility and maintenance, it is not a defining characteristic of a shoulder barrier’s purpose. Similarly, placing shoulder barriers solely on straight road sections might ignore the need for safety along curves or other hazardous areas. Constructing barriers from recycled materials is an interesting consideration but does not directly correlate with the fundamental quality that the barrier must possess to serve its intended safety function.