Safety poles: what to choose and why

Published on February 17, 2026

Safety poles either deform on impact to absorb energy or releases from a slip base on impact, not absorbing energy. The type must be chosen based on location and requirements of the specific road.

SVP Saferoad BA Infrastructure Kjetil Nesset explains the differences of the safety poles
SVP Saferoad BA Infrastructure Kjetil Nesset explains the differences of the safety poles

Why choose safety poles?

“At Saferoad we see safety masts as a major contributor to reduce the consequences of collisions. They are an important part of safer road designs that includes guardrails and signage as well”, says SVP of Saferoad Infrastructure Kjetil Nesset.

“Consistent deployment of tested and approved safety masts can dramatically reduce crash severity. Our HE and NE masts have full-scale test documentation, CE certificates and clear installation guidelines. When applied where they are needed, at high-risk locations and along vulnerable stretches, they can save lives of the driver, passengers and pedestrians alongside the road. That is how we raise the bar of road safety across all of Europe, in alignment with Vision Zero”, says Nesset.

Different types of safety poles

  • High Energy (HE) poles deform on impact and absorb the energy, providing a short, controlled deceleration. The vehicle often comes to a stop or experiences significant speed reduction.

  • Non-energy (NE) poles have a slip base that releases on impact, allowing the vehicle to continue moving with reduced speed. Damage to the vehicle is significantly reduced, but secondary incidents may occur.

How to choose correct type

Choosing between HE or NE safety poles depends on the surroundings of the road, and how the road is regulated. As the HE poles catches the car and prevents it from doing secondary damages after the crash, his type of safety pole is typically used in urban areas where there are people or high-risk surroundings.

The NE pole, on the other hand, is the preferred choice when there is no risk of harming the surroundings. This could be when the road is next to a field and the car could keep on going until it naturally stops, with minimal damage to the car.

Choose the type that meets both the need of the road and the surroundings and ensure approved mounting to keep the system CE certified.

 

Need help selecting the right mast or documentation for your project? Contact us for expert advice and quotes.

Read Also

See all news