Other Suicide Bridges - Problem Solved
Out of all the countless research articles published on the effectiveness of suicide barriers, the vast majority of studies demonstrate that means restriction is one of the most effective ways to save lives. Below are just a few successful prominent examples.
Prince Edward Viaduct (Toronto, Canada - Over 500 suicides): A suicide barrier was built in 2003. A study compared suicides 11 years before and after the barrier completion and found that on average 9 people died each year before 2003 and one 1 died in the 11 years after the barrier was built.
Nusle Bridge (Prague, Czech Republic - Over 300 suicides): Fences at the bridge were installed in 1997. Since it was not a 100% deterrent, higher fencing was added in 2007. The modified deterrent was tested by expert climbers, and they couldn’t climb over it. There have not been any suicides since.
Mapo Bridge (Seoul, South Korea - Almost 200 suicides): South Korea has the fourth highest suicide rate in the world. In 2016, fencing and crisis phones were installed. With the help of AI, motion sensors, and cameras installed on and around the bridge, all 255 suicide attempts were prevented in 2022.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge (Tampa Bay, FL- Over 316 suicides): In 2021, 11 foot (3.4 meter) tall vertical netting was installed. Only three people have jumped off the bridge since the net installation, down from a 12-15 per year average.
Aurora Bridge (Seattle, WA - Over 230 suicides): 8 foot (2.4 meter) tall fencing was installed in 2011. Since then, there has been no reported suicides.
Minister Terrace “Münsterplattform” (Bern, Switzerland): The suicide deterrent net built at the Golden Gate Bridge was inspired by the design and success of the netting built at the Minister Terrace. Not only did suicides stop, but suicides also did not increase in nearby areas.
George Washington Bridge (New York - New Jersey): Between 2010 - 2017, there were 113 suicides from the bridge. In 2017, a suicide barrier was installed with no further reported suicides.
Vessel (New York City, NY): Vessel opened to the public in 2019. After multiple closures and 4 suicides on the honeycomb shaped structure between 2020 and 2021, the Vessel reopened in 2024 with newly installed safety net barriers.
Many other bridges have installed suicide barriers and have seen a drastic reduction or complete stop in suicides:
- French King Bridge (Gill, Massachusetts)
- Vista Bridge (Portland, Oregon)
- Colorado Street Bridge (Pascedena, CA)
- Vincent Thomas Bridge (San Pedro, CA)
- Jacques Cartier Bridge (Quebec, Canada)
- Clifton Suspension Bridge (Bristol, UK)
- Sydney Harbour Bridge (Sydney, Australia)
- And many more…