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Senator Pam Helming (R,C,I-Canandaigua) announced her co-sponsored bill (S.5427A) to make New York State's roads and highways safer by banning and removing "X-Lite" Guardrail Systems has been approved by the State Senate. The bill would permanently remove "X-Lite" guardrail products from the list of eligible types of materials used for guardrails, ban "X-Lite" and similarly designed products from being installed in the future, and require that any existing "X-Lite" guardrail products be replaced along all state roadways.

"There have been many cases throughout the country where the X-Lite Guardrail System has failed to protect motorists and in several instances caused serious injury and death," said Helming. "This legislation will ensure that these hazardous guardrails are removed from our state roads."

This legislation was introduced in response to the tragic death of Fredonia native Hannah Eimers who was killed in a heartbreaking accident in Tennessee. Hannah's vehicle left Interstate 75, crossed into the median and struck a guardrail. Instead of re-directing the car as it left the roadway, the guardrail penetrated the cabin of the car, killing Hannah instantly.

"Hannah's tragic death brought needed attention to the dangers of the X-Lite system, which is installed along countless miles of federal, state and local roadways," said  Helming. "By enacting this legislation and continuing our advocacy to remove this system from all highways, I am confident that we can make our roadways safer and prevent further tragedy."

Helming has begun alerting local municipalities and highway departments about the potentially dangerous impacts of the X-Lite guardrails and encouraging them to replace these systems.

The bill will be sent to Assembly, where it is sponsored by Assemblyman Sean Ryan. If enacted into law, New York will join Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee as the only states that have banned the use of X-Lite guardrail systems so far.

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