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Racing car driver Matt Sofi knows all too well the bone-jarring forces that are unleashed when a vehicle impacts with an inanimate object at high speed.

Which is why he approached his recent gig as driver for a staged crash demonstration of the BarrierGuard 800 with a fair degree of caution.

But, he readily admits, he underestimated the technical sophistication of the product and the ability it has to absorb the impact of a collision and re-direct the vehicle safely back onto the road.

The crash demonstration was staged at Eastern Creek Raceway before more than 200 engineers, designers and roads industry professionals. Organised by Coates Hire, the event sought to showcase technology that is already well established in Europe and the US.

Sofi, a Formula 3 competitor and defensive driving instructor, drove the test vehicle into the barrier at 80km/h at an angle of 15 degrees.

"I expected more of an impact ... I was surprised because, with the initial hit, it didn't bounce you off into another lane," Sofi said.

"The car was still straight and in a position where you could stop in a controlled manner," he said.

In addition, damage to the car and the barrier was confined to just a few scratches.

Motorcycle Council of NSW chairman Christopher Burns was another who was impressed with the barrier's safety capabilities. He described it as the most "motorcycle friendly" he had seen.

"The lack of protrusions, posts and wires would appear to reduce the chances of death and injury to motorcycle riders in the unfortunate event of a crash," he said.

Ben Duncker, International Sales Manager for Highway Care - the UK-based manufacturer of the BarrierGuard 800 - said the barrier offered an ideal solution for accident blackspots, such as sections of the Pacific Highway where vehicles crossing into oncoming traffic had caused multiple fatalities.

"This barrier is the best solution for improving safety for both motorists and road workers," Mr Duncker said.

"Plus, there is the added benefit for contractors of speed of installation and reduced transportation costs," he said.

The BarrierGuard 800 is the highest-rated road barrier in Australia (NCHRP 350, Test Level 3 & 4 and EN 1317-2, Containment Levels N2 and H2). It can be hired through Coates Hire or purchased through Boylan Group.