Drivers who frequent Highway 30 between Scappoose and St. Helens want the state to install protective cement barriers down the middle of the highway.

They believe as traffic increases into the rural areas, so do the risks.

On Wednesday, a car and school bus collided, killing one man and injuring others.

 Background: Car crashes into school bus

“I don’t know how many people have to get injured before they do something,” said Andrew Roberts, who drives Highway 30 on a daily basis. Dudley Moore, from St. Helens, added, “That would make me feel better because I’m getting old and cautious.”

Statistics from the Oregon Department of Transportation show that over a ten year period, there were eight accidents, six of which were fatal.

Christine Miles from ODOT said barriers aren’t necessarily the answer.

“Concrete barriers and cable barriers reduce the number of head-on crashes, but there’s nothing that’s 100% effective,” she said.

Chief Steve Salle from the St. Helens Police Department took it a step further. He said barriers aren’t feasible along the highway. “There are driveways and streets that require access, so it would be difficult to construct,” added Salle.

In the meantime officials think drivers should slow down, and those behind the wheel agree. “It would be safer, especially having a child,” added Roberts.