Since the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937 at least
1,200 people have successfully committed suicide by leaping from the
bridge itself. The Golden Gate Bridge Board and the Highway and
Transportation District often intends to construct some suicide-proof
barriers to minimize the successful suicide rate. Railings, nets,
and a combination of other methods of preventing successful suicide
are up for consideration, but multiple factors prevent such tactics.
The staggering $15.25 million dollar construction fee could be used
toward more flexible citywide renovation. The Golden
Gate Bridge is considered one of America’s most influential tourist
attractions. Building such suicide proof barriers could not only
adversely alter the striking appearance of the bridge but also
decrease the amount of revenue it acquires.
Building such barriers may conflict with many perspectives, but
it also coincides with a lot more. No one person has the authority to
dictate anyone else’s decision to willingly commit suicide. No one
person has the authority to confiscate anyone else’s free will.
Suicide is a choice only the person contemplating suicide can make,
and it’s that person’s decision when and where to attempt to commit
suicide. Even though it may seem that building such barriers on that
specific bridge may seem logical, the fact is that it does not mean
such suicidal attempts have been successfully neutralized. If the urge
to effectively commit suicide is evident, then that person will
complete that one last task by any means necessary, even if it means
going to the neighboring Bay Area Bridge. So does that mean we have to
make every bridge in America suicide proof?
A confident way to view the matter is to consider the positivity
and importance of self-preservation. Even though everyone is their own
person, assistance should never be turned down. These barriers could
prove to be more than efficient toward the reduction of successful
suicides. They could become customizable and be able to reduce the
suicide rate across America if not the world. The idea of saving
someone’s life is more than a satisfactory feeling, it knowing you
prevented the death of a human being such as yourself. Not
understanding the significance of possessing life is complete
absurdity.
