One study [1] found this has resulted in a significant (56 percent) decrease in collisions resulting in deaths or serious injuries.
[1] http://foi.tfl.gov.uk/FOI-2274-1718/Pedestrian%20railings%20...
Apparently post-9/11 security theatre pushed so many people out of planes and into long distance driving that the additional road deaths overtook the 9/11 death toll in a few months.
How about those idiots who take selfies close to cliff edges?
If that is how you feel why not fence of high mountains to prevent mountaineers from falling to their death?
Why not fix child locks to vehicles driving in safari parks so the passengers cannot jump out and be eaten by lions? That wouldn't protect them from charging elephants though.