More than 100 speed humps for neighborhood streets have been approved by the city of Pontiac, MI budget. The intent is to get drivers to slow down on residential streets and near parks to improve safety. Residents there have been advocating for years to see something like this approved.
The city of Pontiac believes it will cost a little more than $500,000 to fund the installation which has already started and is expected to be completed within the new few weeks.
An analysis by the US Dept of Transportation noted that speed humps can be effective at reducing speeds by nearly 10 mph on residential streets. Any reduction like this can the help reduce speed related traffic accidents – specifically when involving pedestrians on those streets.
This relates to an earlier blog post about tree lawns creating a safe environment where pedestrians ask, “Do I belong here?” before walking along a specific street section. Lower traffic speeds due to speed humps and other traffic calming devices will answer that question with a “Yes” and increase pedestrian activity in the area.
An allocation of significant funds like this and the focus on traffic safety by the city of Pontiac is needed now more than ever in this country as evidenced by the 71% increase in pedestrian traffic deaths over the last decade.
What is the difference between a speed hump and a speed bump?
A speed hump is a “gradual raised area” whereas a speed bump is an “abrupt raised area” which is more common in parking lots.