Warning signs for speed bumps?

[m-five]

Are there any requirements for warning signs to be placed before a series of new speed bumps?

I ask because we had large (i.e. full road width, 6ft long) bumps installed about 3 months ago and there is no warning of the when you enter the estate

However if you enter the estate from one side there is a 'controlled 20mph zone' sign and if you enter from the other side there is a 'controlled 30mph zone' which is confusing in itself.

Either way if I traverse these bumps at 20/30mph I will likely need new suspension again quite soon, not to mention a new front spoiler.

There's has never (i.e. not in the 23 years I have lived there) been an accident caused by speeding cars in the estate, only one or two caused by people stepping off the bus into oncoming traffic. The pavement between bus stop and road is 36" wide and if you count the step off the bus your immediate next step would be into the road.

I have found the best method to traverse these is to scream up to them at 40mph and slam on to 5mph to compress the springs and then lift of the brake to smooth the transition from road to hump. I have tried it at lower speeds, but the compression isn't quite right

[hedders]

m-five said:

I have found the best method to traverse these is to scream up to them at 40mph and slam on to 5mph to compress the springs and then lift of the brake to smooth the transition from road to hump. I have tried it at lower speeds, but the compression isn't quite right

That works well, but i find it even better just to put two wheels up on the pavement so you only screw up half of your suspension....

[streaky]

m-five said:

... I have found the best method to traverse these is to scream up to them at 40mph and slam on to 5mph to compress the springs and then lift of the brake to smooth the transition from road to hump. I have tried it at lower speeds, but the compression isn't quite right

As practiced (but at higher speeds) by "yumping" Nordic rally aces in Saab 95s ... also, "Not going too much sideways in long corners ... losing speed!" (If anyone remembers that quote from the Flying Finns - Streaky

[forever_driving]

I'd be interested to know the answer to this.

One of my cars does not posses the ability to traverse speed bumps and I get caught out by councils installing the bumps without any signage.

[M-Five]

hedders said:

m-five said: I have found the best method to traverse these is to scream up to them at 40mph and slam on to 5mph to compress the springs and then lift of the brake to smooth the transition from road to hump. I have tried it at lower speeds, but the compression isn't quite right That works well, but i find it even better just to put two wheels up on the pavement so you only screw up half of your suspension....

Unfortunately if I put two wheels up on the pavement on one side I am at risk of dropping off the other side onto the dual carriageway which has a much higher kerb and hence it would be unlikely I could get back onto my side. As for the other side, there is no way I could use the pavement as there are cars parked all along it and even over the speed hump (which I am sure is and offence in itself)!

[zcacogp]

forever_driving said:

I'd be interested to know the answer to this. One of my cars does not posses the ability to traverse speed bumps and I get caught out by councils installing the bumps without any signage.

Mr F Driving,

I understand that there are regulations on the size, shape and angles of inclination for speed bumps on public roads. These are all to allow cars within UK regulatory dimensions (i.e. ground clearance) to be able to go over them without damage. If your car is lower than the regulatory minimum ground clearance, and you damage it on a speed bump, it's your tough luck. If, however, your car is within the regulations and the speed bumps are too harsh, you can claim for damages from the council that installed them. (Note - claiming for damages and actually getting some money out of them are two different things!)

Be warned though - I am not a lawyer, just a very average half-wit who gets similarly hacked off about these things. So don't rely on what I said!


Oli.

[forever_driving]

zcacogp said:

Mr F Driving, I understand that there are regulations on the size, shape and angles of inclination for speed bumps on public roads. These are all to allow cars within UK regulatory dimensions (i.e. ground clearance) to be able to go over them without damage. If your car is lower than the regulatory minimum ground clearance, and you damage it on a speed bump, it's your tough luck. If, however, your car is within the regulations and the speed bumps are too harsh, you can claim for damages from the council that installed them. (Note - claiming for damages and actually getting some money out of them are two different things!) Oli.

I knew I'd have trouble with speed bumps the day I picked up the Ultima!

I haven't damaged my car going over speed bumps and I never will because I just avoid them at all cost. The problem arises when there's no signage and I get caught out... then I have to do a 17 point turn in a narrow sidestreet whilst holding up LOTS of traffic (and hearing lots of horns tooting)

[anonymous-user]

forever_driving said:

I knew I'd have trouble with speed bumps the day I picked up the Ultima! I haven't damaged my car going over speed bumps and I never will because I just avoid them at all cost. The problem arises when there's no signage and I get caught out... then I have to do a 17 point turn in a narrow sidestreet whilst holding up LOTS of traffic (and hearing lots of horns tooting)

In an Ultima? Plenty of lock, light up the rears and spin it in one.