A crash attenuator system for deployment in front of a fixed structure, the system comprising: first and second outer rails (16, 18) spaced apart in a widthwise direction and extending along a length of the crash attenuator system; a center rail; and a plurality of diaphragms initially disposed in spaced relation along the length of the first and second outer rails, each of the plurality of diaphragms having a base end adapted to be movably engaged with the first and second outer rails, so that when a front end of the crash attenuator system receives an impact force from an errant vehicle, a first one of the plurality of diaphragms moves rearwardly along the first and second outer rails and impacts a second one of the plurality of diaphragms so that both the first and second ones of the plurality of diaphragms move further rearwardly along the first and second outer rails, this process continuing with additional ones of the plurality of diaphragms until the impact forces have been fully attenuated; and characterized in that the system comprises: a bolt on one of the plurality of diaphragms which is adapted to engage material forming the center rail of the crash attenuator system, the bolt and the center rail being relatively movable when an impact force strikes the crash attenuator system so that the bolt tears the center rail, thereby increasing attenuation of the impact force, the center rail being tuned to optimize the tearing of the center rail; wherein the center rail extends along at least a portion of the length of the crash attenuator and includes a plurality of holes disposed therein, the plurality of holes extending along a length of the center rail and spaced lengthwise from one another, the bolt being engaged with one of the plurality of holes so that when an impact force is applied to the crash attenuator, relative motion occurs between the center rail and the bolt so that the relative motion causes the bolt to tear the material between adjacent ones of the plurality of holes, thereby creating a continuous slot, the tearing of the material functioning to attenuate the impact force. first and second outer rails (16, 18) spaced apart in a widthwise direction and extending along a length of the crash attenuator system; a center rail; and a plurality of diaphragms initially disposed in spaced relation along the length of the first and second outer rails, each of the plurality of diaphragms having a base end adapted to be movably engaged with the first and second outer rails, so that when a front end of the crash attenuator system receives an impact force from an errant vehicle, a first one of the plurality of diaphragms moves rearwardly along the first and second outer rails and impacts a second one of the plurality of diaphragms so that both the first and second ones of the plurality of diaphragms move further rearwardly along the first and second outer rails, this process continuing with additional ones of the plurality of diaphragms until the impact forces have been fully attenuated; and characterized in that the system comprises: a bolt on one of the plurality of diaphragms which is adapted to engage material forming the center rail of the crash attenuator system, the bolt and the center rail being relatively movable when an impact force strikes the crash attenuator system so that the bolt tears the center rail, thereby increasing attenuation of the impact force, the center rail being tuned to optimize the tearing of the center rail; wherein the center rail extends along at least a portion of the length of the crash attenuator and includes a plurality of holes disposed therein, the plurality of holes extending along a length of the center rail and spaced lengthwise from one another, the bolt being engaged with one of the plurality of holes so that when an impact force is applied to the crash attenuator, relative motion occurs between the center rail and the bolt so that the relative motion causes the bolt to tear the material between adjacent ones of the plurality of holes, thereby creating a continuous slot, the tearing of the material functioning to attenuate the impact force. a bolt on one of the plurality of diaphragms which is adapted to engage material forming the center rail of the crash attenuator system, the bolt and the center rail being relatively movable when an impact force strikes the crash attenuator system so that the bolt tears the center rail, thereby increasing attenuation of the impact force, the center rail being tuned to optimize the tearing of the center rail; wherein the center rail extends along at least a portion of the length of the crash attenuator and includes a plurality of holes disposed therein, the plurality of holes extending along a length of the center rail and spaced lengthwise from one another, the bolt being engaged with one of the plurality of holes so that when an impact force is applied to the crash attenuator, relative motion occurs between the center rail and the bolt so that the relative motion causes the bolt to tear the material between adjacent ones of the plurality of holes, thereby creating a continuous slot, the tearing of the material functioning to attenuate the impact force.