Speed bump regulations in the UK by Federal Highway Administration

Every area in the UK has its specific laws and regulations for preventing traffic mishaps and discomfort. It’s no secret that speed bumps & speed cushions are widely used in the UK, in all traffic areas and traffic lanes for pedestrian safety.

These areas include car parks or industrial areas in the UK.

Also, the UK government has made it mandatory to follow the rules and regulations for the use and installation of speed bumps in all high-traffic areas to maintain speed limits.

You’ll find all the details needed to understand speed bump standards by the Department of Transportation in the UK when you read this guide to the end!

Without further ado, let’s get started.

Importance of speed bump regulations in the UK

The traffic controls in the UK have also revealed that the implementation of speed bump regulations in the UK has decreased the high risk of accidents among pedestrians passing through the road and seems fruitful in calming traffic.

Almost all speed bumps are aggressively designed to improve the effectiveness of slowing down the vehicles on the road, crosswalk, pavement and roadway.

Regardless of their prominent design and specifications, the UK government prefers to install bumps in the road made of plastic or rubber, thereby not damaging the surrounding area by changing the speed limits.

In highly crowded areas, speed bumps & speed breakers decrease vehicles’ speed by 2-5mph.

Speed bumps under regulations are also installed in some other areas, including:

• Car parks

• Private driveways

• Ramps

• Entrance areas

Mandatory speed bump regulations in the UK

The DIY installation of traffic calming measures and traffic control devices, including speed breakers, is followed by many rules, regulations and guidelines assigned by the state government and federal highway administration.

However, the rules for using and installing speed bumps on private roads are much more different than on highways.

Moreover, the UK Government governs speed bump installation and use regulations on highways and common road paths, particularly by the Department of Transport.

In addition to this, the maximum usage of speed bumps on private roads is majorly governed by the England and Wales Highway Regulations 1999.

These regulations mainly deal with a large number of clauses and sub-clauses for reducing traffic flow.

However, the basic idea of these regulations is not to install speed bumps on private roads and slow zones.

Regulations for the use of speed bumps on private property

The government authorities in the United Kingdom advise the local council’s rules and regulations for installing any traffic-releasing measures on private land.

It also includes the city streets. Another restriction imposed by the government for private lands is to install temporary measures that are easy to remove when needed.

Not only this but the implementation of regulations for installing speed bumps is also governed by The Highways (Road Bumps) Regulations 1999. It also inhibits the inappropriate use and installation of the speed bump.

Specifications and requirements for speed bumps

Some of the significant requirements and traffic laws that are required to be followed by the local authorities during the installation of speed bumps are given along with the signs and markings:

• The authorities should install speed bumps on the roads with a speed limit of 30 meters per hour or less as suitable for the area.

• Install speed bumps with a speed limit of 20mph in an area where there are street lights and low traffic.

• Make sure to install speed bumps and humps near the areas where there is enough illumination with the dynamic speed of vehicles.

• Follow the relevant highway authority regulations for installing the raised section of speed bumps with a speed limit of 20mph.

• Check the availability of required signage at the highway authorities while installing the 20mph speed bumps.

• Use severe bumps with a speed limit of 10mph on private roads to prevent traffic mishaps and accidents.

• Observe the dimensions adequately while installing the speed humps.

• Check the construction signs and road markings while installing speed bumps.

Primary regulations for speed bumps in the UK

As per the traffic laws and regulations issued by the Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999, all installation and usage guides for the speed breaker on the road in the UK should comply with the rules of England and Wales.

The primary reason behind the imposition of this law is to prevent the incorrect use of speed bumps.

However, some important sections for the regulations of speed bumps in the UK, as suggested by the Highway (Roads and Humps) Regulations 1999, are discussed in the next section.

You can know more about this in the article.

Consult the appropriate authorities in the area:

One of the primary regulations regarding the guidelines of speed bumps in the UK is to consult the chief office of the police in the local council where you want to install speed bumps around crossing signs.

Some other consultants you should approach include the local fire brigade and ambulance services.

The primary reason for consulting such authorities in the local area is to prevent the installed speed bumps with street signs from interfering with the local routes by the service vehicles.

In addition to this, consider the intelligent transportation systems and highway signs. Some other points that are worth considering in this portion are:

• Contact the legal organizations that use the roads to know the warning signs.

• These legal organizations should include buses, waste collection groups, traders, and maintenance services.

• Make sure to install the speed humps on the private road in the local areas and railroad crossing areas.

• Also, consult the residents in the work zone who share the road with the local organizations.

Dimensions of the speed bumps

The speed bumps at specific localities and street signs, including the flashing yellow light in the UK, can be hazardous for the locals there.

Their use can make the roads and roundabouts even more dangerous; the UK government has a traffic control plan that imposes a law related to the dimensions of the pavement markings.

It states:

• The speed bump or impediment installed on the local roads should have a minimum length of 900mm.

• The height point of the speed bump should range from 25mm to 100mm.

• The dimensions of any vertical face of the traffic signal that forms the speed bump shouldn’t exceed 6mm.

• The speed bumps for the emergency vehicles should have a gradient within the range of 1:10 as offered by the municipalities.

• Use shallow slopes for the service vehicles as a traffic intersection and road traffic safety.

Locations of the speed bumps

Locations for local areas and the zones where the speed limit is more than 20mph are also followed under specific laws for traffic signals issued by the government.

These regulations by the police enforcement include:

• Place the speed bumps at the right angle to the imaginary line at the centre of the road and pedestrian crossing.

• The local authority and traffic management should install speed bumps at the speed limit of 30mph.

• The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997 inhibit installing speed bumps within 30 meters of the zebra crossings.

• Speed bumps on the roads with a speed limit of 20mph should be installed near lighting.

Conclusion

The above guide contains all issued laws and regulations for speed bumps in the UK. Some of these laws also correspond with the traffic signs and use of lighting along with the speed bumps.

That’s why the government suggests implementing the above rules when installing speed bumps on roads.

In addition to this, make sure to look at the commercial and domestic speed bumps for better traffic control all around the UK.

Take a brief look at each section to ensure the proper use and installation of speed bumps on the UK’s private roads and remote localities.