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Speed bumps and other road safety issues

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Hi Alan,

Your article about speed bumps in Lovemore Heights reminded me of my contempt for all the unnecessary and costly speed humps and mini circles throughout Port Elizabeth. (See: Speed Bumps in Lovemore Heights)

These are far from “calming measures” and mostly have the opposite affect. Many motorists speed up between humps to make up lost time, thus defeating the object of the humps anyway.

Similarly the location of speed cameras on freeways are known and motorists slow down and then speed up after passing them. Trucks, buses and minibus taxis are able to travel at 120kph on freeways without being caught by the cameras which are set for 120kph. These vehicles have speed limits of 80 or 100kph and are a far greater danger than cars going at 120kph plus. Those vehicles, particularly minibus taxis and some buses, with 80kph limits can do the same in 100kph zones.

Speed cameras are a money-making scam and nothing to do with road safety. Moving violations together with drunk drivers are the main cause of motor accidents.

Probably 90% plus of the humps and circles were erected without proper evaluation, plus their profiles and heights differ from one to the other. These do not conform to international standards. Many modern cars are low off the ground, plus those with tow-bars, are damaged. The signs of this can be seen clearly on many humps.

Large vehicles including buses cannot negotiate the mini circles and ride over the raised circle which is not good for their tyres. This might not show up immediately but unseen damage could occur and may sometime later result in tyre failure and maybe cause a serious motor accident. The same can be said for so many vehicles which are regularly seen driving off and on to pavements, once again mainly commercial vehicles and buses.

The amount of additional wear and tear (shocks, brakes, petrol consumption, etc.) on their vehicles has never been considered by motorists. They would be shocked by what it is actually costing them.

Considering each of these structures cost tens of thousands of rands to erect, plus upkeep, i.e. signage and road marking paint over time, the money could be far better spent. Removing them is also a costly exercise.

The police, ambulance and fire brigade response times are increased, plus some patients in ambulances may suffer further discomfort or even injury. Drivers and passengers with back problems find it uncomfortable negotiating these bumps no matter how slow one goes.

Some of these humps actually cause traffic congestion and other inconvenience to motorists.

At night lights of oncoming vehicles blind drivers twice in short succession as they go up and down over the humps. Similar to driving with bright lights on with oncoming traffic.

Another widespread illegal practice (see link at end) is driving in good weather with the lower spot/fog lights on, either with or without the main headlights on, or driving just with park lights on.

Most spot/fog lights unnecessary blind oncoming motorists. There is quite a large percentage of vehicles who’s headlights are not properly set, again affecting oncoming traffic.

Motorists, including motor cyclists, using their lights during the day should only use low beam as high beam can still cause discomfort to some oncoming motorists.

There are varying opinions about the use of lights during daylight, but I would imagine it can only be beneficial to road safety, but there are also varying opinions if it is good for the electrical system of one’s vehicle.

http://www.aa.co.za/technical-services/legal-advice/legal-questions/driving-with-fog-lights-on.html

Regards

Mike.

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Port Elizabethan

This author is a 'catch-all' for occasional articles and letters written to MyPE. The Author of each article can be found in the signature at the bottom of each individual article.

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