New Delhi, Jan. 22 -- In a major step to prevent road accidents, the Centre is considering to install crash barriers along its existing NHs and make it mandatory for all future highway projects.

A week after Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said highway accidents lead to loss of 3 per cent of GDP annually, the Ministry is exploring ways to bring down highway crashes and fatalities. Installing crash barrier is one of the steps in that direction.

Crash barriers are designed to withstand the impact of even high speed vehicles. They are expected to slide and roll guide vehicles back on the road while keeping the level of damage to vehicle as well as to the barriers within acceptable limits. It has been found that less than five per cen...