Do We Want Speed Bumps?

On our board agenda in 10 days is an time to add one-two speed bumps in our underground garages. the Owner who contributed it says too many cars speed in the three levels.

I don't think this is true so don't see the need for such an expense. But I don't know who much they cost for basically interior settings or outside for that matter.

Any advice about efficacy or knowledge about expense would be great!

How does one know someone is speeding? They are standing still. Plus can't imagine in such a small space speeds being excessive. I would be more concerned of doing the research of who is reliable if such speed limits are violated as to cause an accident. Are their speed limit signs?

Sometimes we put a pound of cure out before we find out if it weighs an ounce... Speed bumps can cause issues with emergency vehicles if they were to be needed. Especially if the bump would lift them up any to exceed the clearance height.

Do some additional research by asking the police or fire marshal's opinion. Ask your HOA insurance carrier if there are ramifications. Shop around for the different road bump options. There are many different types of speed bumps. If you all agree to get them, best to find out the kind best suits your needs.

I would be asking a lot of questions before installing speed bumps, which are intended to deter speeding by inflicting damage on people and property.

Among the questions:
Who has observed this speeding and what speeds are these cars traveling at?
Has your security staff observed any speeding?
How many accidents have occurred that were caused by speeding?
Where would the speed bumps be installed?
Of the known accidents, if any, how many would have been prevented by speed bumps?
Does your city or zoning authority have any standards for the profile or placement of speed bumps?
How will the installation of speed bumps effect your association's insurance?
Which drivers are speeding?
Have your security cameras observed any speeding in the garages?
What alternatives are there to speed bumps if speeding is a problem?

I have no first-hand experience with the purchase or installation of speed bumps. My observation is that most are put down by paving contractors with little more than a hunch as to what the profile should be, with many being more of an anti-tank barricade than a traffic control device. I have seen prefabricated speed bumps that bolt to the pavement; the advantages would seem to be at least a modicum of engineering and uniformity.

My observation of parking garages is that there are so many twists and turns that excessive speed is usually difficult to achieve. Speed bumps would be most effective at the center of the straightaways and least effective at the corners, where one must slow down to turn. Speed bumps may impede parking in some spaces.

Just some thoughts.

As noted way above, I do not think speeding is enough of a problem to warrant our spending Owners $$ to install them. Don's idea of temp one(s0 makes a lot of sense.

Larry asks some good questions:

"Who has observed this speeding and what speeds are these cars traveling at?" Haven't seen the request yet, but I assume the Owner who's complaining. I've seen one or two speed up the straight exit/entrance ramp.

"Has your security staff observed any speeding? " No Incident Report I've seen.

"How many accidents have occurred that were caused by speeding?" None

"Where would the speed bumps be installed?" Will know when I get our directors Report: Logically there are two places

"Does your city or zoning authority have any standards for the profile or placement of speed bumps?" Good question! Would apply to private property?

"How will the installation of speed bumps effect your association's insurance?" Another good question! (Melissa wondered too) I'll have our PM find out!

"Which drivers are speeding?" Unknown--the two I saw were older male Owners

"Have your security cameras observed any speeding in the garages?" Have none except at entrance to the underground garage

PM got answers to two questions: Our private property underground garages aren't governed by the city, and speed bumps will not affect our insurance premiums.

Good to know these, but I'm still opposed.

Sounds like yours were considered for exterior roads in your HOA (vs our underground garages). You've shown us that one Owner can matter in shaping HOA policy!

While it's not the subject here, my understanding is that a CA HOA cannot forbid placing flyers at residents' front doors unless you're a gated community. In other words, if anyone can come in and drop off flyers, ads, etc., the Board can't forbid residents from doing the same.

The Board cannot, of course, prohibit residents from US-mailing info to Owners

Yes, I live in a gated community. I have lived here for 30 years. The Board did adopt new By Laws after I distributed flyers out about the speed bumps stating no soliciting with flyers by anyone. I had done this many time before, but I guess they did not like the upset it caused at that time.

Yes, you cannot leave anything in a mailbox per the Post Office regulations unless it is mailed.

Speed bumps can cause accidents. Especially by teenagers who love to go fast over them for fun. They are not a deterrent for speeding for everyone. Going over one too fast can make a car go out of control. There is also wear and tear on the residence vehicles. If they are in a community like ours, it can affect property values.

How to get around flyers or mailing? Get some like minded people on board and knock on doors. Print off the negatives regarding speed bumps and hand them out, go over your concerns, get a petition signed or ask them to attend the next meeting.

Good Luck!

IMO, there's a big difference between commercial soliciting and speaking out on an issue of concern for the community.

I think you're smart in not pressing the point because of potential retribution - but I also realize their response is an intentional threat. I would find it offensive.

To me, its a free speech issue within the confines of a controlled environment. Not sure who would win that battle in court, but I don't think it's a slam dunk for the board.

We are a single family neighborhood in the hills. We have streets that are steep. People here were concerned about cars flying over the bumps and hitting parked cars or children playing on the sidewalks.

I guess each HOA is different and needs to do their own research to see if they will work for them. Here is part of an article regarding speed bumps:

Counting down to the demise of speed bumps!

The reason speed bumps (also known as speed humps or sleeping policemen) are put in place is to slow traffic.

That is quite simply their only benefit.

This can also be achieved by chicanes, speed cameras, intelligent bumps or even naked streets and neither of these damage the environment or our cars. Why in this day and age are we increasingly implementing these outdated measures when there are more efficient, more Eco-friendly alternatives available?

Here is a list containing the top ten problems with speed bumps:

They are detrimental to the environment, increasing pollution by forcing cars to slow well below the speed limit and then accelerate away.

They increase noise levels where they are implemented. Not just by engine and brake noise from people slowing down and speeding up, but also from trucks and lorries carrying loads that get bounced around.

They cause damage to vehicles, particularly sports cars (even at low speed).

They slow the response times of emergency vehicles.

They cause discomfort and back injury to drivers and passengers. This also includes those traveling on buses who may be walking down aisles or using the stairs, causing them to fall and injure themselves.

They cause vibration when vehicles navigate them and send shock waves through the ground. This has been proven to damage nearby properties. In fact, the official UK regulations state that they may not be implemented anywhere within 25 meters of bridges, subways or tunnels.

They often divert traffic to alternative residential streets.

They cost drivers money by using more petrol and brake pads in addition to the damage caused to suspension, oil sumps and exhausts etc. This often makes cars more dangerous.

When vehicles drive over them with their lights on, this points the dipped beam up to eye level. This not only causes nearby houses disturbance, but also gives the illusion of the headlights being flashed, dazzling and causing confusion to other motorists and often causing accidents.

They are a substitute for active enforcement, even though they do not even slow down most vehicles.

We can think of several other reasons, but ten is a nice round number..

I agree