Speed bump sign

Everything you need to know about Speed Bumps

What are the different types of speedbumps?

Speed bumps

Speed bumps

These are small plastic or rubber bumps that stretch across the whole length of the road. This type of traffic control device is usually found in car parks and areas with a 5mph-15mph speed limit. Due to the height and shorter travel distance, they are quite an aggressive bump which forces drivers to significantly reduce their speed to around 2-5 mph.

Speed humps/round top

Speed humps/round top

Sometimes referred to as “sleeping policemen”. These humps are made up of concrete and are the full width of the road. You will often find this type of hump, in built-up residential areas with a speed limit of around 15-30mph. With a speed hump, you will often find a couple after each other, this is to prevent road users from speeding before and after going over a single hump.

Sinusoidal speed bump

Sinusoidal

This type of speed bump is very similar to a round top hump the only difference is the incline towards the hump isn’t as steep. This hump was originally developed so that cyclists can travel over them more comfortably.

Speed cushions

Speed cushions

These humps are square and you’ll often see them in 2’s or 3’s across the width of the road. The positioning and size of these bumps, allows larger vehicles to straddle them without slowing down. This also means this speed control measure doesn’t harm emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire engines, who will be able to travel at normal speed over these.

Speed tables/flat top/raised junction

Speed tables/flat top/raised junction

These are a longer and flatter version of a speed bump. When travelling over this type of speed bump, it elevates the whole vehicle at once. This type of traffic calming measure is usually used on crossings. A speed table helps slow traffic down but doesn’t impact the flow of traffic.

‘H’ road humps/’S’ road humps

‘H’ road humps/’S’ road humps

As the name suggests one is shaped like an S and one is shaped like an H. They are used to make it easy to manoeuvre for both cars and bigger vehicles like buses or Lorries.

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