Abstract: A metallic guardrail barrier of the type comprising a sustaining post (1), a spacing member (2) extending parallel to the ground, secured at one side to the said sustaining post and carrying at the other side the rail (N), said spacing member being in the form of a substantially flat vertical plate (102) presenting a front portion (502) and a rear portion, in which the said spacing member (2) is connected to said sustaining post (1) by its rear portion so as to be swingable about a fulcrum (7) under the control of a shock absorbing means including a weakened region (9) on said rear portion of the spacing member at a location above and spaced from said fulcrum (7) and a pin (8) which connects said spacing member (2) and said sustaining post (1), and passes through said weakened portion (9), such that said pin (8) causes a tearing of said weakened region (9) when said rail (N) is impacted by a vehicle and said spacing member ( 2) moves about said fulcrum (7).

Abstract: A metallic guardrail barrier comprises a sustaining post, a spacing member extending parallel to the ground, secured at one side to the sustaining post and carrying at the other side a supporting member to which the rail is secured. The rail supporting member is mounted on the spacing element so as to be swingable about a fulcrum parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rail and located at a level not coinciding with the level of the centerline of the rail. Shock absorbing mechanisms are provided to dampen the swinging movement of the supporting member around the fulcrum, following the impact of a vehicle against the rail, in a manner which is proportional to the intensity of the impact.