How do energy-absorbing devices like crash cushions improve roadside safety?

Energy-absorbing devices, such as crash cushions, improve roadside safety primarily by slowing vehicles down gradually. These devices are designed to absorb the kinetic energy of a crashing vehicle, helping to reduce the impact force experienced by the occupants of the vehicle and minimize the risk of severe injuries or fatalities.

By decelerating vehicles over a longer distance and time, energy-absorbing devices provide a more controlled stop, reducing the intensity of the crash. This gradual deceleration is crucial in enhancing safety, as it lessens the sudden jolts that can lead to greater physical harm to passengers or occupants of other vehicles involved in the crash.

The other options, while related to roadside safety strategies, do not accurately describe the function of energy-absorbing devices. They do not create rigid barriers or structures, nor do they redirect vehicles into other hazards, which can be highly detrimental. The primary goal of crash cushions is to mitigate the effects of collisions by managing energy dissipation effectively.