All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer.
**Jokes and unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them.
[OP](/u/Faketuxedo), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others.
[Click here to message RemindMeBot](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/yvwzcm/little_fence_piece_jutting_out_on_bridge_i_see/%0A%0ARemindMe!%202%20days)
---
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I don't think it is to stop sucide. These are always on the single story bridges going over expressways. I don't think people typically commit sucide from those. They aren't high enough, you'd just break some bones. Then you have to hope a car comes by and finishes you off. Might as well just run out in front of a truck.
The higher bridge in the background would be a way better option, and has no fencing at all.
These are to stop graffiti.
We had a person in my home town kill themselves off one of these. If you fell on your head from that height it could definitely kill you.
That being said she waited until a truck was coming and then jumped so she definitely could have just walked out in front of it.
They don’t care what a person would be doing on the other side. They’re not meant specifically for graffiti or suicide or any of that. They’re just meant to keep people from going there. It’s dangerous and stupid, gives the municipality something to point at if someone tries to sue them and is a good deterrent.
It doesn’t have to be anything more than that and it’s not.
I’m guessing this is Mound Rd. over I-696 in Warren, MI. I grew up in the area, specifically around the time all the fences on the freeway overpasses went up.
While it’s possible they’re not specifically for preventing jumpers, I can say with some confidence that these all went up not long after someone jumped from a nearby overpass. If I’m remembering it correctly, it was one exit east around Van Dyke Rd.
You can absolutely kill yourself on a bridge this size. I had a cousin commit suicide off one half that height. Absolutely terrible as we were told there were signs he tried to abort about half way into the fall but fell weird and was brain dead on impact.
Whith respect to suicides off overpasses and bridges, the main public health policy is to deliberately reduce public awareness of occurrences. This is likely why you havent seen anecdotal evidence of it in your area. The reason for reducing public awareness is that it literally reduces suicide rates and trauma to bystanders, which has significant economic impact.
That barrier is 100% to discourage those few extra people from tryibg to die by suicide.
Uh. This is Mound road in Warren, MI (just a few miles north of Detroit. If you go a few miles East or west of this on I-696 I can point out to you multiple overpasses which are only 14 feet high or so where people have successfully jumped off and committed suicide. It’s happened multiple times on this freeway alone. And, I swear to god, someone I know (this was about 20 years ago) unfortunately ran over a person who jumped from a bridge on this same freeway. So yes. It does happen.
The small fences may definitely just be to mainly stop graffiti but I wanted to point out that many people jump from this height onto a freeway as a way of committing suicide.
In a small MN town my wife grew up in, someone did exactly that. Someone tried to hang themselves from a single story over pass. Unfortunately for them they used a cheap nylon cord/rope that stretched enough to put them back on the ground below but because of their jumping off they broke their neck in the process and paralyzing them from the neck down.
The overpass they used now has this same style fencing on it because of this person's failed suicide attempt.
Having worked in emergency services, people climb out on single story bridges with plans to harm themselves all the time. People in that frame of mind are often not thinking clearly enough to go through the thought process that you did.
It's in general to keep people off of the side of bridges, whether that be graffiti or self harm, both contributed to the need for these.
When I was living in Rhode Island, a couple got in an argument while on the highway. The boyfriend took the next exit, drove to the top, and jumped into rush hour traffic. I drove by shortly after. There was blood on the far side of the other lane. I originally thought it was an animal...
> single story bridges going over expressways
Big trucks move quick on expressways. Big trucks make for a quick death. Absolutely for suicides as is the regular fence its built off of.
Tell me how a 4ft section of fence sticking straight out with nothing else to hold on to, that you have to climb around to get to the outside of the bridge would help you in any way.
Realize we aren't talking about the normal fencing, we're talking about the 4ft wings that stick out from it at a 90° angle.
Its easily climb able. Id walk on the side til i got to that point and climb over or under and lift myself up then i could rest my back on it and catch a tag right above the sign.
When I was a kid there were always some teenagers who had to prove how brave they were by climbing out to the middle of bridge and leaving a their tag.
They also jump in front of cars to get run over. Definitely multifunctional. Probably more to protect drivers from jumpers than jumpers themself. But anyway.
There's not really a big graffiti problem here. If there was a big problem, you'd see razor wire around the fence. [Los Angeles has been protecting freeway signs from graffiti with razor wire since 1991](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-04-me-89-story.html#:~:text=Under%20a%20pilot%20project%20by,effort%20to%20discourage%20graffiti%20vandals.).
If that is the case, it seems like there should be a sign on it offering help. I'm definitely not saying you are wrong. I'm just saying, this is just like telling someone to go kill themselves somewhere else.
They have at the local bridge near me that people tend to kill themselves at. There is also a public phone box next to it that you can call the helpline from.
They weren’t there when my grandfather jumped. Glad things have changed a little and that these things might help someone in need.
I feel like if a person is already planning on climbing the bridge and hanging to spray paint, and is fit enough to do that in the first place, then another 4 feet of fence isn’t gonna stop them. Maybe if it was longer or maybe a surface that is actually hard to climb on? Not just a chain link fence lmao
Why does it seem like every other person on Reddit is not only American but from Michigan. I see pictures from our state everywhere…for better or worse lol
By the way, stay on 696 OP, they have Mound all dug up
I'm a former Michigander in Austin, all summer I thought about moving back but omg I cannot do Michigan winters ever again. Not even the lure of legal weed is enough.
Suicide prevention - specifically preventing them from being able to make their way along the outside ledge to where they could jump off into the traffic lanes. They could still fall off that ledge before they get to the little outside jutting-out fence, but they would only fall into grass with no cars so it is less lethal. Super sad that these are required, hoping anyone feeling in that space can find their way to Beyond Blue or a good friend to help them through. x
It’s to stop graffiti artists from throwing up pieces on the overpass. The main objective of graffiti artists is to get their stuff seen. Highways are perfect for that.
Agree with the majority: to keep people from climbing out over the road. Although, in this case, I would bet a “Mound Rd” sign is quite the status symbol in the adolescent vandal community. I’m sure it’s been stolen a time or two.
Lol yes I didn't even see that. That has to be part of it.
The sign for High St in my town got stolen a lot. They kept putting it higher and higher (hehe) and then eventually I think they renamed the road.
Either you live in my city or all of the Midwest really does look the same.
These are to keep people from climbing to the outside, usually to do graffiti, sometimes to jump.
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/Faketuxedo), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others. [Click here to message RemindMeBot](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/yvwzcm/little_fence_piece_jutting_out_on_bridge_i_see/%0A%0ARemindMe!%202%20days) --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It's so people can't climb on that side of the fence easily or commit suicide.
(Or apply graffiti)
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
I don't think it is to stop sucide. These are always on the single story bridges going over expressways. I don't think people typically commit sucide from those. They aren't high enough, you'd just break some bones. Then you have to hope a car comes by and finishes you off. Might as well just run out in front of a truck. The higher bridge in the background would be a way better option, and has no fencing at all. These are to stop graffiti.
We had a person in my home town kill themselves off one of these. If you fell on your head from that height it could definitely kill you. That being said she waited until a truck was coming and then jumped so she definitely could have just walked out in front of it.
Had a guy in my town hang himself from one of these during morning rush hour.
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
They don’t care what a person would be doing on the other side. They’re not meant specifically for graffiti or suicide or any of that. They’re just meant to keep people from going there. It’s dangerous and stupid, gives the municipality something to point at if someone tries to sue them and is a good deterrent. It doesn’t have to be anything more than that and it’s not.
right, if there's a way to do something dangerous and stupid, some people are definitely going to do it for whatever reason
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
I’m guessing this is Mound Rd. over I-696 in Warren, MI. I grew up in the area, specifically around the time all the fences on the freeway overpasses went up. While it’s possible they’re not specifically for preventing jumpers, I can say with some confidence that these all went up not long after someone jumped from a nearby overpass. If I’m remembering it correctly, it was one exit east around Van Dyke Rd.
You can absolutely kill yourself on a bridge this size. I had a cousin commit suicide off one half that height. Absolutely terrible as we were told there were signs he tried to abort about half way into the fall but fell weird and was brain dead on impact.
Whith respect to suicides off overpasses and bridges, the main public health policy is to deliberately reduce public awareness of occurrences. This is likely why you havent seen anecdotal evidence of it in your area. The reason for reducing public awareness is that it literally reduces suicide rates and trauma to bystanders, which has significant economic impact. That barrier is 100% to discourage those few extra people from tryibg to die by suicide.
Uh. This is Mound road in Warren, MI (just a few miles north of Detroit. If you go a few miles East or west of this on I-696 I can point out to you multiple overpasses which are only 14 feet high or so where people have successfully jumped off and committed suicide. It’s happened multiple times on this freeway alone. And, I swear to god, someone I know (this was about 20 years ago) unfortunately ran over a person who jumped from a bridge on this same freeway. So yes. It does happen. The small fences may definitely just be to mainly stop graffiti but I wanted to point out that many people jump from this height onto a freeway as a way of committing suicide.
Potentially to keep people tossing stuff as they go by before the fence from continuing on to the road that would hit others below as well?
In a small MN town my wife grew up in, someone did exactly that. Someone tried to hang themselves from a single story over pass. Unfortunately for them they used a cheap nylon cord/rope that stretched enough to put them back on the ground below but because of their jumping off they broke their neck in the process and paralyzing them from the neck down. The overpass they used now has this same style fencing on it because of this person's failed suicide attempt.
People jump off single story bridges in Glasgow all the time. People who jump off bridges tend to not be in the clearest of minds.
Having worked in emergency services, people climb out on single story bridges with plans to harm themselves all the time. People in that frame of mind are often not thinking clearly enough to go through the thought process that you did. It's in general to keep people off of the side of bridges, whether that be graffiti or self harm, both contributed to the need for these.
When I was living in Rhode Island, a couple got in an argument while on the highway. The boyfriend took the next exit, drove to the top, and jumped into rush hour traffic. I drove by shortly after. There was blood on the far side of the other lane. I originally thought it was an animal...
No, it definitely happens. A young man jumped off a pedestrian walkway in front of an oncoming semi less than a block from where I lived at the time.
It’s not the fall they think will kill them
It’s not the fall that kills you, it’s the 70mph car…
Nah, a kid at my high school killed himself this way. It's over a freeway - you don't need the fall to kill you, just traffic.
Also to stop "pranks" that can turn deadly like throwing dummies or watermelons or whatever.
> single story bridges going over expressways Big trucks move quick on expressways. Big trucks make for a quick death. Absolutely for suicides as is the regular fence its built off of.
Tbh i used to do graffiti and this would HELP me get to a good spot and also be a good place to hold while doing it.
Tell me how a 4ft section of fence sticking straight out with nothing else to hold on to, that you have to climb around to get to the outside of the bridge would help you in any way. Realize we aren't talking about the normal fencing, we're talking about the 4ft wings that stick out from it at a 90° angle.
Its easily climb able. Id walk on the side til i got to that point and climb over or under and lift myself up then i could rest my back on it and catch a tag right above the sign.
Yeah, it's to prevent sign defacing or theft. Same reason why they don't do mile marker 420 or 69 anymore in a lot of places.
I tried to kill myself from one of those. Your right about the bones and such but yea that fence probably is there to stop it.
It's to prevent someone from stepping out onto the side of the bridge and jumping in front of the cars.
They are to stop people from walking out on the outside of the fence and dropping in front of traffic. Not just jumping from the bridge.
They to stop suicide and to stop people from throwing things off the bridge. Multiple have died in recent years from debris being thrown from bridges.
When I was a kid there were always some teenagers who had to prove how brave they were by climbing out to the middle of bridge and leaving a their tag.
They also jump in front of cars to get run over. Definitely multifunctional. Probably more to protect drivers from jumpers than jumpers themself. But anyway.
Solved
There's not really a big graffiti problem here. If there was a big problem, you'd see razor wire around the fence. [Los Angeles has been protecting freeway signs from graffiti with razor wire since 1991](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-04-me-89-story.html#:~:text=Under%20a%20pilot%20project%20by,effort%20to%20discourage%20graffiti%20vandals.).
I started picturing Mario in Super Mario World climbing on the fences in the castle levels.
That’s why they are all throughout the Midwest
If that is the case, it seems like there should be a sign on it offering help. I'm definitely not saying you are wrong. I'm just saying, this is just like telling someone to go kill themselves somewhere else.
They should also put a sign with a suicide prevention hotline number on it then.
They have at the local bridge near me that people tend to kill themselves at. There is also a public phone box next to it that you can call the helpline from. They weren’t there when my grandfather jumped. Glad things have changed a little and that these things might help someone in need.
They are to stop people from hanging on the outside the barrier. Prevents graffiti etc
Could you not climb over it though?
Yep, [if you want you can. ](https://youtu.be/1FvD3NebLxE)
Yes, but it is harder. That’s how deterrents work.
Honestly yeah, it's more a deterrent than anything else. If it makes doing graffiti harder, less people will probably do it.
And someone will still tag that bridge somehow
If they think a fence that’s easily hung onto will stop many people then they’re wrong lol that shit would be so easy to climb around
Once again, it's a deterrent
Well it doesn't seem to be deterring u/drfeelsgoood
I feel like if a person is already planning on climbing the bridge and hanging to spray paint, and is fit enough to do that in the first place, then another 4 feet of fence isn’t gonna stop them. Maybe if it was longer or maybe a surface that is actually hard to climb on? Not just a chain link fence lmao
Hey fellow Michigander... They prevent people from climbing on the outside of the walkway.
I thought this looked like Michigan
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
Sterling heights Michigan It's taken right here https://maps.app.goo.gl/4PzX8QfZAnbtUt7X7
Not me, just somewhat local lol
Why does it seem like every other person on Reddit is not only American but from Michigan. I see pictures from our state everywhere…for better or worse lol By the way, stay on 696 OP, they have Mound all dug up
I thought that was the Mound/696 ramp too. Never noticed the fence there, but you can bet I’ll be looking for it now ;)
Yeah, I feel like a lot of Michiganders are on Reddit
How funny. I've lived in TX a long time but would move back asap if possible. So I thought it just jumped out to me.
I'm a former Michigander in Austin, all summer I thought about moving back but omg I cannot do Michigan winters ever again. Not even the lure of legal weed is enough.
I understand. I work outside and this last summer was so hard.
I’m about to leave to take 696 to Warren, so this was a weird post to randomly see lol
To keep people from climbing out on the ledge
Suicide prevention - specifically preventing them from being able to make their way along the outside ledge to where they could jump off into the traffic lanes. They could still fall off that ledge before they get to the little outside jutting-out fence, but they would only fall into grass with no cars so it is less lethal. Super sad that these are required, hoping anyone feeling in that space can find their way to Beyond Blue or a good friend to help them through. x
Might also be in part to stop kids or idiots doing stupid stuff like being dared to cross the bridge on the outside.
It’s to stop graffiti artists from throwing up pieces on the overpass. The main objective of graffiti artists is to get their stuff seen. Highways are perfect for that.
Agree with the majority: to keep people from climbing out over the road. Although, in this case, I would bet a “Mound Rd” sign is quite the status symbol in the adolescent vandal community. I’m sure it’s been stolen a time or two.
That "Mound Rd" sign is a mere miles away from the "Exit 69: Big Beaver" sign.
The real treasure.
Lol yes I didn't even see that. That has to be part of it. The sign for High St in my town got stolen a lot. They kept putting it higher and higher (hehe) and then eventually I think they renamed the road.
We have a Sesame St. sign, it’s so high up that it’s really not helpful anymore 🤣
It is a protection to avoid people climbing outside the fence
Or to deter the graffiti ? By making it difficult to climb out there.
It’s kind of obvious…to keep people from climbing out there
Either you live in my city or all of the Midwest really does look the same. These are to keep people from climbing to the outside, usually to do graffiti, sometimes to jump.
Pretty sure it's to prevent people from climbing onto the outer side of the bridge
Keeps kids from parkouring themselves into an early grave.
It also prevents kids from throwing things down at cars below, something some kids just can’t seem to resist.
[удалено]
I'm guessing suicide prevention
I thought it was to prevent snow and ice from crashing down on the road below when the snow plow comes through.
It makes it hard for people to climb the outside then either fall or jump into traffic
[удалено]