What Are The Pros And Cons Of Fitting Speed Humps?

By Author: Patrick Fox
Total Articles: 15
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If they are looking for speed humps, Perth business managers and safety professionals may wonder about the pros and cons of fitting them. It is a fact that rubber speed humps and other traffic calming solutions can have a beneficial effect on traffic. However, it is not all plain sailing; there are situations where fitting a speed hump may not be the best course of action. A badly place hump could actually cause more problems than it solves, so it is a good idea to examine all of your options. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and drawbacks of using speed humps on your property.

The Positive Aspects:
The initial point to note is that accidents are usually made far worse if the vehicle is travelling at speed. A difference of a few km/hr can make a real difference between life and death. A speed hump will absolutely reduce speed in the area it is located, used in conjunction with warning signs it can be a real game changer. Another positive is that employees that are working in the area will feel safer if speed humps are installed at the site. A more professional sense of safety will spread around ...
... the site and quite soon many business owners will notice that safety is taken seriously. Accident rates will decline and as a result, insurance premiums may also fall as well. If your site borders a residential area, you may notice that complaints regarding speeding and excessive noise may decrease.

The Negative Aspects:
If you choose a poor quality speed hump, you may notice that the vehicle speeds are not reduced by much. If your area borders a residential area, you may have negative reactions to reflective surfaces and/or warnings related to your speed humps. The noise levels caused when a vehicle (particularly a heavy vehicle) may be too much for locals to bear if they are braking dramatically before and then speeding up after the hump. The initial cost of installation could be prohibitive for some businesses. Drivers avoid humps by driving around them can cause damage to their vehicles increasing overheads and downtime. In the event of an emergency, the responding vehicles will be slowed down by speed humps leading to a longer reaction time.

Final Thoughts:
Many of the negatives can be countered with effective training for employees, but visiting drivers may be another matter. Metal humps will last longer than rubber ones, but they are much louder which will annoy local residents. In summary, the benefits usually outweigh the negatives, but it is probably a good idea to get a professional opinion before installation begins.

If you would like to know more about choosing the right speed bump for your needs, contact us. Here at Image Bollards we have a wealth of experience in providing quality solutions for safety and traffic management. We have a wide variety of products available and we can fit them for you if required. Our sales team is standing by to offer advice and answer any further questions you may have.

Image Bollards was first established in 1994 by Managing Director Tony Scott. The Western Australian company specialises in installing, supplying and maintaining security bollards, vehicle access and control systems as well street furniture. With over 25 years of industry experience, Image Bollards comprises a team of dedicated professionals who ensure that any client receives only the very best of service.