How Speed Bumps are Utilized to Aid in Traffic Regulation
The likelihood of vehicular-related accidents or collisions has grown since the total traffic volume has increased. When the traffic density is high enough, manual monitoring of speed compliance comes at a difficulty. According to Traffic School Online, speed humps were initially used in the United States in 1983 for the purpose of encouraging automobiles to drive fewer than 30 miles per hour in certain areas.
Speed bumps are small areas within a road. They tend to be 3-4 inches tall, and one to three feet in length. According to the Portland Bureau of Transportation, it has been found that speed bumps were instrumental in decreasing the annual crash frequency by 39%. It was also noted that the number of crash injuries was reduced by 46%, meaning the accidents that did occur were less severe.
Placing speed bumps in residential areas also grants increased safety to pedestrians by preventing drivers from surpassing the speed limit. One study conducted by the American Journal of Public Health found that implementing speedbumps in neighborhoods reduced child fatalities and/or injuries from automobiles by at least 53%. Statewide policies are what determine whether or not speed bumps can be implemented locally. There are requirements set for a street to be approved for speed bumps.
Firstly, there must be a minimum traffic volume (i.e 600 vehicles) within the street each day. Automobiles must also travel within a certain range of speed. The street cannot be en route to emergency services such as the Fire Department. The purpose of such measures is to make sure that bumps are installed within areas with high volume but slow moving traffic. Citizens can contact their designated traffic division if a street within their neighborhood does not have a speed bump installed despite meeting the requirements.
Speed bumps are an effective way to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions, improve pedestrian safety, and passively reduce the number of vehicles exceeding the recommended speed limits. In areas with fairly high traffic and especially in residential settings where children are likely to play, the installation of speed bumps can dramatically improve the safety of pedestrians and motorists alike.
Speed bumps are an efficient approach to minimize collision frequency and severity, increase pedestrian safety, and passively reduce the number of cars violating approved speed limits. Installing speed bumps in high-traffic locations, particularly in areas where children tend to congregate, can significantly improve pedestrian and motorist safety. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information.