The wire barrier on State Highway 2 between Bethlehem and the Waihi Road overpass has been hit "a whopping 78 times" since 2015.

Approximately $88,000 has been used to repair the barrier to this date, according to Waka Kotahi regional manager of maintenance and operations Rob Campbell.

Although the barrier has seen a significant amount of crashes, Rob says it is "doing an extraordinary job" of saving lives, with a potential 78 head-on crashes prevented.

"Drivers crash into median barriers for a variety of reasons, such as speed, distraction, alcohol or drugs, but Waka Kotahi also understands even the best drivers make mistakes, and we don't believe these mistakes should cost us our lives," says Rob.

He adds median barriers are a "cost-effective" piece of infrastructure which can reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in crashes by 75 per cent.

"When you hit a flexible barrier, the cables flex, slowing your vehicle and keeping it upright. They're designed to absorb the impact, protecting you and others in the vehicle, ensure your vehicle isn't deflected into another traffic lane.

"While there is a cost and time required to fix these barriers, our crews would much rather do the mahi than someone risk not making it home that night."

Rob says there are "lots of examples" of how effective median barriers are around the country.

"For example, Centennial Highway (formally SH1), which follows Wellington's coastline north to the Kāpati Coast, was a trecherous piece of road which over 11 years saw 17 people killed and 15 seriously injured.

"Since median barriers were put in and the speed limit was lowered to 80km, no one has been killed on the road and there was a significant reduction in serious injuries."

"So they're a worthwhile investment - especially when they get hit."

Local driving instructor Jeroen van der Beek also says the wire barrier does a good job of saving peoples lives.

"I know motorcyclists don't like the wire barriers, but if they weren't there and they went into an oncoming car that wouldn't be much help to them either," says Jeroen.

A SunLive reader, who asked to remain anonymous, says the wire barrier has been hit "twice in a week" on one occasion.

"If the barrier wasn't in place there would have been a lot more head on crashes. Dangerous roads, no such thing, we have a country of dangerous drivers," says the reader.

Police declined to comment.