A speed bump, or hump as they are called in the UK, is a raised portion in the road either made as part of the road, or is a piece of plastic or rubber installed into the road at a later date. Residents in most areas can request to have speed bumps installed in their neighborhood to prevent motorists from going too fast.

Request

Go to your local council and find your public works section. There you can find out the procedure for requesting a speed bump in your area. Certain streets in your city or town may not be eligible for a speed bump due to traffic conditions or due to the speed limit in the area. If your street is eligible for a speed bump you will be able to find out the correct procedure for a petition. If a petition requiring signatures is required, you may need to walk through your community and get signatures from your neighbors to ensure success.

What to expect

Expect a long wait. Many cities have a large amount of requests. Depending on budget and the waiting list you may have to wait several months to several years before you will get your speed bump. Your local public works will generally look over your petition and the traffic requirements of the area and see whether it fits into the annual budget. Once a petition has been accepted you may need to fill out a formal request with the city for the bump to be installed. Also, petitioners for a speed bump, if there is not sufficient budget for the request, may be asked if they wish to contribute to the cost of the bump through taxes or a flat fee payable to the city.

Considerations

Before petitioning for a speed bump consider the disadvantages it may cause. Emergency vehicles such as police, fire or ambulance may not be able to access the area as quickly as they would without speed bumps. Speed bumps may also damage cars that go over them too quickly and potentially injure those inside.

Source:

City of Inglewood: Speed Hump Information

Bakersfield City: Speed Bumps and City Policy

Traffic Engineering Council: Speed Humps