An impact absorbing barrier includes a plurality of posts and a plurality of rails. Each post of the plurality of posts includes an impact absorption mechanism. Each rail of the plurality of rails includes a first end coupled to a first post of the plurality of posts and a second end coupled to a second, different post of the plurality of posts. The coupling between the first end and the first post and the coupling between the second end and the second post cause at least some of a force of a collision on the first post to be transferred to the impact absorption mechanism of the second post.