Speed Bumps

Road Humps Buying Guide

Reducing the speed of vehicles has been proven to protect people from injury. Research into the effects of slowing down traffic state that for every 1 mph speed is reduced, the chance of an injury accident occurring is lessened by around 5%. Rolling this out, reducing speeds by just 9 mph has been shown to eliminate between 60-70% of injury accidents. Installing speed bumps is a cost-effective way of ensuring speed is minimised around your premises.

Speed Ramp Choices

There are several considerations to take into account when choosing traffic calming equipment for your worksite, including:

• Visibility - Speed humps only work if they can be seen. Choose a high-visibility option that can be seen at night or in poor weather conditions.


• Height - Bumps of differing heights will affect traffic differently. Think about the size of vehicle that will be driving around your premises and how much you want to slow them by. Taller speed bumps, such as a 75mm high option, will force vehicles to slow to 5mph in order to pass by safely.


• Width - Do you want to slow all traffic? Using narrower or modular bumps that can be tailored to a specific width will allow emergency services and other large vehicles to pass over them unhindered.


• Material - Speed bumps and humps are available in several materials with the most popular being rubber and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Of the two, rubber is seen as the “softer" option as it can be kinder to vehicles and create less impact and noise. PVC is a tough, hardy material that is perfect for use outdoors. PVC bumps are perfect in cold weather as they will not turn brittle and crack like other materials can. Look out for recycled options that are kinder to the environment while being just as resilient as their standard counterparts.

Ensure speed bumps are installed using dedicated fixing bolts. If fitted incorrectly, speed ramps can damage a vehicle and be uncomfortable for drivers and passengers. If your road surface is damaged in anyway, be sure to make repairs using a strong, long lasting solution.

Road Bumps and Other Traffic Calming Solutions

Speed bumps can be used successfully on their own, but also work well as part of a larger traffic and car park management solution. Think about the layout of your car park and decide if there are any other measures that can be put in place to make it safer.

Dictating the direction that traffic moves in will minimise confusion in your outside spaces and prevent collisions with people, property and other vehicles. Use line marking equipment to paint directional information directly onto road surfaces - exactly where drivers will be looking. This can also be used to create virtual chicanes or other turns that will prevent cars from speeding up on long, straight stretches of road.

By allowing vehicles to pass over them in one direction only, traffic spikes can be installed to prevent cars and lorries from entering prohibited areas or going against the flow of traffic in one way systems. Look for options where spikes can be removed for maximum flexibility and signs must always be placed nearby warning drivers of their presence.

Signs which offer information on speed restrictions and/or wayfinding are an absolute necessity in car parks, loading bays and outside spaces. We recommend using reflective options for most outdoor applications; however standard signs can be placed in areas where night time use will be minimal. Clear, concise signage placed on a post advising drivers of speed restrictions wherever they change will go a long way to preventing accidents.

What is the difference between speed bumps and speed humps?

Speed bumps are designed to be used on private premises only as they abruptly reduce vehicle speed to a minimum. Suitable to use in locations such as car parks, construction sites and schools as they slow down vehicles immediately due to their size. To improve visibility speed bumps are normally yellow and black to warn vehicles of their existence in advance.

Speed humps are also a traffic calming device that helps increase safety for both drivers and pedestrians. To slow down vehicles more gradually, humps are used on residential roadways as they are less steep. Speed humps are more suitable to use in public roads as they maintain consistent traffic flow. They are normally raised above the pavement using concrete, whereas speed bumps are usually manually fixed on top of the road surface.

Speed Hump FAQs

Why are speed bumps important?

To help reduce risks to drivers and pedestrians speed bumps are essential as they slow down vehicles to an appropriate speed. You can use them in numerous locations to avoid hazards and collisions. Seton Speed Bump is highly visible to ensure it can be seen at all times even in poor weather conditions to raise alertness. We recommend using suitable traffic signs to increase awareness of the speed bump, as this will allow cars to slow down more efficiently. Traffic signs and speed bumps are beneficial as they create a visual statement that the area has restricted speed limits. Lower vehicle speeds also decrease the noise level of traffic whilst maintaining safe roads.

Where can you use speed bumps?

Unless specified most bumps are created to be used in private areas only, both indoors and outdoors. Choose to lower speed to either 5 mph or 10 mph.

How do you drive over speed bumps?

When you approach a speed bump use your brake just before you get to the bump. Then you gently accelerate to get over it. If there is more than one speed hump you should keep a consistent pace whilst you cross over them as smooth driving is better for the environment and your vehicle.

What height of speed bump should I use?

If you would like to reduce speed to 10 mph use our 55mm Seton Speed Bump or 75mm version for 5 mph.