What if Louisiana, like Texas, had cable barriers across the stretch of interstate?

Louisiana state police say an 18-wheeler blew a tire, veered across the median and smashed head on into an oncoming car.

Both the truck's and the car's drivers were killed.

Louisiana Highway Official John Sanders says Louisiana relies on distance to prevent head-on collisions.

"We have a wider median that is a safer median than Texas," says Sanders.

Routinely, Texas medians are 40 feet wide. Louisiana's are 56 feet.

The cable system is cheaper than concrete, but at a million dollars for five and half miles? Would it be cost effective?

Sanders doesn't think so.

"I think they're effective and may be realistic for short areas where you have an abnormal accident frequency, but not wholesale across a district," says Sanders.

Phillip Attebery drives I-20 a lot.

"I've wondered about the cables. I've wondered if they're safe. If they actually do a good job or not," says Attebery.

And would the barrier be able to stop a "big rig?" The designers say yes. Highway safety experts say once advantage of the cable barrier is that it's a forgiving barrier. They say the cable doesn't so much stop the vehicle as guide it.

Whatever highway experts decide, wide medians or barriers, Attebery would like to see something between him and oncoming traffic.

"I feel better with something there," says Attebery.

About half a dozen states are installing the cable barriers.

Despite their reservations, Louisiana is giving the cable barriers a chance.

The state is currently funding two pilot projects with them in St. Tammany and St. John Parishes.