How to Prevent the Installation of Speed Bumps

[johnnycage87]

Hi, this is my first time posting and I apologize if this is not the best place for this post. I live in NJ and have several neighbors who want speed humps/bumps put in place in on intersecting residential streets. I just have a couple questions about this as I am not in favor of them. I am worried that firetrucks/ambulances other emergency personnel will have to slow down significantly as a result, which could result in precious time lost that could have been spent helping someone in need. Is there any weight to this argument? I've tried to find research which shows that this may occur, any help is appreciated.

Moreover, my car is low to the ground - stock, no alterations (and I have a flawless driving record). If I were to go the speed limit, at 25mph, my car would surely (based on speed bumps elsewhere in the area) be impacted. The bottom scrapes/bottoms out, etc. Is the town liable for any damage assuming I was going the posted limit or below?

If I am required to slow down to 15 mph to go over a bump, does this infringe on my right to travel the limit if I wanted to?

Other points I'm trying to find evidence for are the fact that:
-bumps add to the noise level (there are a ton of landscaping trucks around and I fear it will drive me crazy)
-clean up in the winter time will be much worse due to the bumps...the roads are bad as it is on a flat surface

I would be in favor of four-way stops or heads up displays by speed limit signs showing drivers their current rate of speed. I'm just against the pumps, like I said, primarily because I'm nervous about emergency responders. Any help anyone can offer on any of these questions is appreciated.

[LandSurveyor]

You are presenting much more of a political issue than a legal issue.

If the town decides to install bumps, you will be the one responsible for damages if driving too fast, as long as the bumps are signed and clearly visible. The posted speed limit will be overridden by the speed limit imposed by the bumps. Speed bumps have been proposed in my neighborhood several times but in the end we just ask for the city to provide for more police presence and several dozen tickets later the problem goes away until people forget. Then we get the police back.

You will need to make your points to the town government through your elected representatives.

[trafeng]

Yep, what LandSurveyor said. You might consult the Institute for Transportation Engineers (ITE) website for information on the different types of devices and the pro's and con's of each. The drawbacks to speed humps are noise, including the acceleration/deceleration of the car, braking and so on. Depending on the design, there is some delay to emergency vehicles which can be on the order of 15 seconds per hump according to some research. Does your jurisdiction have any process for deciding where the actual humps are placed? I ask because I certainly wouldn't want one in front of my house. Often when people want these, what they mean is they want them on their street, but not necessarily near them.

Last note, you've indicated you'd be ok with stop signs. You really shouldn't be. They don't work for speed reduction, have almost all the drawbacks of speed humps, and can actually increase driver speeds. Research it before you go there.

[johnnycage87]

Thank you both for your replies, they have been very helpful. I will look into the ITE and try to gather as much information as I can to present to my representatives.