Mark Perkins, Vice President Business Development at Barrier1 Systems reveals how crash-rated bollards can deliver effective protection and reduce liabilities and costs at gas stations and convenience stores.

Vehicle ramming incidents

In 2023, 7-Eleven agreed to a $91 million settlement for a man who lost both legs after a pedal-error accident left him pinned against an Illinois storefront.

Over a decade ago, researchers at the Texas Traffic Institute made a startling discovery – gas and convenience stores across the US were encountering storefront crashes at a staggering frequency, averaging up to 20 incidents daily.

The Storefront Safety Council reports more than 100 storefront crashes occur each day, with 46% resulting in injury and 8% in fatality. The stakes are high.

The frequent occurrence of these incidents underscores the urgent need for enhanced protective measures.

Gas stations and convenience stores are particularly vulnerable due to their high traffic and open layouts, which make them prime targets for accidental vehicle collisions.

These establishments not only serve a constant flow of vehicles but also attract pedestrians, increasing the potential for catastrophic accidents.

The implementation of crash-rated vehicle barriers can significantly mitigate these risks, providing a robust line of defense that absorbs and deflects impact forces, safeguarding both property and lives.

While non-crash-rated barriers may reduce upfront investment costs for storefronts and create the visual perception of safety and security, the data indicates that the costs and risks to life and safety far outweigh the benefits.

Unlike high-quality, crash-rated security bollards that are designed to stop vehicles, these visual barriers won’t prevent loss of life and property.

By investing in crash-rated vehicle barriers that are proven to be effective, gas station and convenience store owners can protect their customers from bodily harm and shield themselves from the costly liabilities associated with storefront crashes.

The value of crash-rated vehicle barriers

Crash-rated barriers are manufactured with steel and concrete to redirect vehicles and protect against vehicle ramming incidents, making it important to differentiate between non-crash-tested bollards from those engineered to meet stringent crash-ratings.

Gas station owners with non-crash-rated barriers may be astonished to discover that they fail to offer sufficient protection.

Non-crash-rated bollards offer no substantial protection for pedal error incidents or intentional smash and grab events, often snapping like toothpicks even when a vehicle is traveling slowly.

In addition to their obvious safety benefits, installing crash-rated barriers also can reduce soft costs such as insurance rates, loss of business, reputational damage and more.

So, what does it take for a bollard to be considered crash-rated?

Crash-rated bollards undergo rigorous testing by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Crash ratings consider three factors: the type of vehicle, speed of vehicle and vehicle penetration measured after the test completion.

This comprehensive physical testing certifies that crash-rated barriers are designed and tested to ensure complete protection of lives and assets when a vehicle ramming incident occurs.

Deploying bollards that are crash test rated to ASTM F3016 standards is ideal for storefronts, as they can stop a 5,000-pound vehicle traveling at speeds of 10, 20 or 30 mph.

For an even more robust solution, bollards rated to ASTM F2656 standards are specifically designed to stop the impact of larger vehicles traveling at higher speeds.

These ASTM-tested and crash-rated bollards provide critical protection against vehicular threats.

Types of crash-rated barriers

Once a barrier is confirmed as crash-rated, it’s essential to consider how different barriers can be utilized for various applications.

Effective security protocols rely on selecting the proper vehicle barrier for each context.

ASTM-rated options include safety bollards, wedge barriers, cable systems and retractable barriers, each of which can mitigate the impact of vehicle ramming events in specific scenarios.

Crash-rated bollards offer a proven solution to protect gas stations and convenience stores from vehicle ramming incidents.

By deploying these bollards, store owners can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents, safeguard lives and protect their businesses from costly liabilities.

Bollards can be customized in a variety of colors and styles, allowing for aesthetic integration with the storefront while maintaining maximum security.

Many gas station and convenience store owners may dismiss the possibility of a vehicle ramming incident happening to them – until it does.

The reality is that no business is immune to the risk of vehicle crashes.

Crash-rated bollards are essential in protecting fuel pumps and storefronts.

These bollards are designed to withstand significant impacts, ensuring that the most vulnerable areas of a gas station or convenience store are protected.

Financial and operational advantages for store owners

Installing crash-rated bollards at gas stations and convenience stores extends beyond immediate physical protection, offering several financial and operational advantages.

Effective bollard deployment can mitigate the legal liabilities associated with storefront crashes, as evidenced by costly settlements following severe accidents.

Additionally, crash-rated bollards help reduce soft costs such as repair expenses, business downtime and potential increases in insurance premiums.

A prime example, referenced earlier, is 7-Eleven’s historic $91 million settlement.

The victim’s legal team presented evidence that 7-Eleven had been aware of the risks associated with storefront crashes but failed to take adequate preventive measures.

The store’s compliance with local building codes was deemed insufficient to protect against such incidents.

Proven protection against vehicle ramming

To effectively prevent vehicle ramming incidents, store owners must invest in high-quality, crash-rated security bollards.

These bollards should be strategically placed around the most vulnerable areas of the property, including entrances, exits and fuel pumps.

The frequency and severity of vehicle ramming incidents at gas stations and convenience stores necessitates immediate action.

Installing crash-rated bollards is a critical step toward ensuring the safety and security of these vulnerable locations.

By choosing bollards that meet ASTM standards, store owners can protect their businesses, reduce costs and most importantly, save lives.

Prioritizing the installation of crash-rated bollards demonstrates a commitment to the safety and well-being of customers and employees.

The time to act is now – before another preventable tragedy occurs.

This article was originally published in the September edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.