Speaking at a Council Meeting tonight
Discussion
Been asked to speak at a Council meeting tonight - very short notice of course - but I'm going to go.
I shall be presenting the driving resident's point of view about a one mile stretch of 30mph limit urban road which has no less than fifteen "speed humps" along it and three raised tables at junctions.
I've got to try NOT to come across as a "Foamer" whilst arguing that they are:
* Uncomfortable
* Unsafe
* Unnecessary
* Unwanted
Knowing that I will be faced by a room of anti-car PC loons I don't expect to get anywhere I just need to make think before doing anything as stupid again...
Wish me luck...
I shall be presenting the driving resident's point of view about a one mile stretch of 30mph limit urban road which has no less than fifteen "speed humps" along it and three raised tables at junctions.
I've got to try NOT to come across as a "Foamer" whilst arguing that they are:
* Uncomfortable
* Unsafe
* Unnecessary
* Unwanted
Knowing that I will be faced by a room of anti-car PC loons I don't expect to get anywhere I just need to make think before doing anything as stupid again...
Wish me luck...
PetrolTed said:
Perhaps make the point that everyone has 4x4s these days and sails over them...
Yup. Got that one - and the danger that speed differential creates as some smaller and low-slung cars have to go much slower thereby creating the opportunity for rear-end collisions.
PetrolTed said:
Was there a problem with speeding cars there prior to the humps? Surely they're going to want some alternative suggestion?
I'm afraid so. And my suggestion is to remove the humps and use dotted white lines and hatching to create the visual effect of narrowing and to put up some illuminated speed warning signs...
It won't slow down emergency vehicles but most people will then drive sensibly down the road...you can't stop the few hoons who will go down there at 50mph humps or not....but at least the majority of us won't have to put up with the humps
How about somehting about the illegality of imposing a speed limit below that which is posted and enforceable, along the lines of an illegal obstruction to traffic.
Unless a car can safely (define it how you like it) traverse the humps at the allowable limit, then these humps should be removed/modified until they are safe at the posted limit.
Unless a car can safely (define it how you like it) traverse the humps at the allowable limit, then these humps should be removed/modified until they are safe at the posted limit.
mondeoman said:
Unless a car can safely (define it how you like it) traverse the humps at the allowable limit, then these humps should be removed/modified until they are safe at the posted limit.
Actually in my borrowed Jag you *can* drive at the speed limit over 'em. No joy there... Its actually in my Porsche/TVR/ and so on that you can't. Being as any mention of a "prestige" vehicle will simply get the retort - "you're a rich bugger so you can fcuk off" - I'm going for the "heavily laden" or "small" vehicle tack...
They vastly increase stopping distances and reduce car control for the nutters who do hit them fast, actually INCREASING the likelihood of a big incident amongst the cretins who are already in the highest risk bracket.
Not to mention the emergency services claim that they cost more lives than they save. I think that'd be the winner.
Not to mention the emergency services claim that they cost more lives than they save. I think that'd be the winner.
Ring your local Ambulance / Fire Station and ask if they have an opinion. We (unfortunately) got a skate park put in to the park beside my house last year. The residents tried to oppose the scheme but we lost. One of the arguments we put forward against the scheme was the poor access for emergency vehicles. This argument was based upon comments from both the local Ambulance Service controller and one of the drivers at the Fire Station.
What about asking your local Environmental Health if there has been any complaints on the noise front?
If the humps are already there, has there been any accidents which can be attributed to them?
What about asking your local Environmental Health if there has been any complaints on the noise front?
If the humps are already there, has there been any accidents which can be attributed to them?
PetrolTed said:This is a valid point. Speed bumps beget SUVs beget child fatalities (bull bars, high centre of grav.. you know the drill..)
Perhaps make the point that everyone has 4x4s these days and sails over them...
I hate SUVs, yet because of the insane propogation of misguided traffic calming measures, I'm thinking about buying one.
In addition there is the damage caused to the foundations of the homes on that road which in the end will have to be paid for by the council via the electorate, therefore bad for elections. Also reduction in value of houses making them harder to sell etc. Oh and if faced with the thinkofthechildrenbrigade, you could try concluding that they are easily reproduced by unskilled labour and you can't understand what all the fuss is about cos a reduction in the number of single parent families reduces the tax burden on the rest of us. Just trying to be helpful. 
The usual increased noise/pollution angle.
Ask the listeners that if they were unlucky enough to fall down the stairs and suffer serious neck/head/back injuries, would they like to be driven over these speed bumps on the way to hospital.
Anything that forces wheel articulation more than is absolutely requires will compromise the way the car handles, and thus it's ability to stop/swerve in the event of an emergancy.
Ask the listeners that if they were unlucky enough to fall down the stairs and suffer serious neck/head/back injuries, would they like to be driven over these speed bumps on the way to hospital.
Anything that forces wheel articulation more than is absolutely requires will compromise the way the car handles, and thus it's ability to stop/swerve in the event of an emergancy.
I am currently trying to get active signs rather than humps in our village. Have a look at the report on this page at the Transport and Road Research Labs site.
www.trl.co.uk/1024/mainpage.asp?page=140
TRL548 Vehicle-activated signs - a large scale evaluation.
It seems they really do work, do not cost any more than humps and don't antagonise ambulances, fire engines or your local bus company.
www.trl.co.uk/1024/mainpage.asp?page=140
TRL548 Vehicle-activated signs - a large scale evaluation.
It seems they really do work, do not cost any more than humps and don't antagonise ambulances, fire engines or your local bus company.
I presume you've extracted the necessary info from the ABD page on humps: www.abd.org.uk/speed_humps.htm
If your are amulance crew and working on a patient, a speed hump can throw you off balance especially if you are stood up leaning over a patient and I suppose that it could be a potential hazard.
Certainly a patient in pain doesn't need more bouncing about than they really have to endure when being driven in an ambulance.
Are the Councils potentially liable for any damage caused to low clearance performance vehicles which can't always avoid the humps?
Good luck anyway - I don't envy you.
Certainly a patient in pain doesn't need more bouncing about than they really have to endure when being driven in an ambulance.
Are the Councils potentially liable for any damage caused to low clearance performance vehicles which can't always avoid the humps?
Good luck anyway - I don't envy you.
Don said:
Been asked to speak at a Council meeting tonight - very short notice of course - but I'm going to go.
What's this, Don? Is this a "public" event or is it an in camera meeting?
Perhaps the ABD have some facts & figures to help you, particularly references. The lentilistas like references. What's that I vaguely recall about an ambulance service claiming that the humps cost lives.
Good luck, anyway.
And Greenpeace admit that they actually generate more polution than it solves. More localised CO2 and CO as well as other polutants. Better to have constant speed traffic which is moving at a reasonable pace (like 25MPH or more)... this is best for the environment, people nearby and the cars involved....
Dont need to say fairer than that.
Cheers,
Paul
Dont need to say fairer than that.
Cheers,
Paul
whatever said:
Been asked to speak at a Council meeting tonight - very short notice of course - but I'm going to go.
What's this, Don? Is this a "public" event or is it an in camera meeting?
Perhaps the ABD have some facts & figures to help you, particularly references. The lentilistas like references. What's that I vaguely recall about an ambulance service claiming that the humps cost lives.
Good luck, anyway.
I believe its "public" but you can only go by pre-registering interest. I believe a petition for the removal of these humps is being presented by a councillor and I am acting as "support"...
paolow said:
i cant add anything to whats already been said, but good luck Don, let us know how it goes
...
Thanks for that...I'll post after it and let you know how it went...I think the biggest challenge will be not losing my rag and attempting grevious bodily harm on half the council chamber...
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