What exactly is the point of water barrels on the freeway?

Question

I can assume they are for softening crash impacts... but we all know what assumptions mean.

Answer 1

To absorb impact. I wonder what would happen in f the water was frozen solid?

Answer 2

You said it! They are!

However depending on you car/truck/suv  you can hit them or go though them....

Answer 3

Your assumption in this case is a fact.

They place water barrels or sand barrels at places that are likely to see high-speed impacts. Bridge supports and highway exits (where there are concrete dividers) are often surrounded by a wedge of barrels. While a vehicle traveling at 60+ mph might still hit the object, the force of impact will be greatly absorbed by the material (water or sand).

Answer 4

They soften the impact of a vehicle in an accident.

Answer 5

Yes, they're for softening crash impacts.  

Hitting a couple of water-filled plastic barrels is far better than hitting a steel-filled concrete slab.

Answer 6

That is what they are there for. They absorb most of your impact so that if you do hit the center rail b/t the exit ramp and the highway you will most likely live. without the barrels or specials dividers that break away when you hit them, crashes at highway speeds into these dividers usually prove fatal.