Following the United States and Europe, artificially created road irregularities, the so-called speed bumps, also began to appear in our country. They are placed on potentially dangerous sections of the road to force a decrease in speed. True, unlike foreign countries, our construction methods and local rules on the roads showed: not everything is so smooth. What problems did drivers and authorities face after installing artificial bumps and how should everything be according to the law?
What it is?
"Sleeping" or "speed bump" is an artificial elevation on the roadway. Its intended purpose is to force drivers to slow down. Such structures are installed in potentially dangerous areas, for example, at sharp turns, near schools and playgrounds, at the entrance to supermarkets, etc.
Abroad, “policemen” are made of a thick layer of rubber (as a rule, used tires go to it) with a cast-iron base. Such designs are portable and mobile. In our country, this is usually a pile of concrete poured across the road. The height and steepness of the embankment depend on the degree of potential danger of the site.
What problems did the speed bump installation bring?
With the increase in the number of such facilities, the number of customers in auto repair shops began to grow. The masters had more work to do: tattered bottoms, damaged suspension, failed steering systems ... And all because the authorities often installed artificial bumps unexpectedly for drivers, without even worrying about putting an appropriate traffic sign. Marking lines were also out of the question, and complete with a poorly lit section of the road, all this logically led to the aforementioned problems.
All this continued until the entry into force of the state standard in 2008, which clearly spelled out the means of organizing artificial irregularities and the requirements for their installation.
What is spelled out in state standard specification?
- A speed bump can be either a prefabricated structure or a monolithic one, that is, it can be an elevation of the same material as the roadway itself.
- Its maximum height should be 7 cm.
- Artificial roughness must be accompanied by a sign “Speed ​​bump”, installed on both sides of the road.
- Plus, it should be accompanied by markings that the driver could see from afar.
- In those places where artificial road roughness is established (abbreviated as IDN), drainage should be organized to prevent the formation of puddles and accidents during sudden braking.
- On one section of the road, the maximum number of speed bumps is 5.
- It is forbidden to put them on federal highways, highways, bridges, in tunnels and near bus / trolleybus stops. This list also includes access to emergency services, for example, ambulance stations, hospitals and fire stations.
Of course, so many tough positions are often not followed by anyone. After all, a certified and in accordance with all the rules established “law enforcer” will cost about 30 thousand rubles. Not every administration is ready to lay them out of the local budget.
How to move through IDN?
When moving a speed bump, many drivers make the same mistake: they press the brake. Even slight braking in this case adversely affects the quality of the front suspension. Here is the correct action algorithm:
- Start braking in advance when you see an obstacle on the road.
- Slowly roll up to the "policeman", and when the front wheels begin to run into him, slightly press the gas pedal.
- After moving irregularities, add gas until normal speed is reached.
Subject to these rules, the car as if "swallows" roughness on the road and does not receive any damage. If you notice the "policeman" too late, it is allowed to brake sharply to him, but in no case on him.
And if the damage could not be avoided?
What if your fault is not, but the car still got damaged after meeting with a speed bump? First of all, do not hesitate to call the traffic police. Arriving employees are required to draw up a protocol, as in any accident. In the course of the investigation, they will surely find out the reason. For example, a “policeman” was installed illegally, in the wrong place, or with non-compliance with the rules. In this case, you can safely go to court with the issued resolution and you will definitely win the case.
How to check the "policeman"?
Any speed bumps should only be installed with official permission. Moreover, they do not issue it to the traffic police, but to the local administration itself, under which a special commission operates. She accepts applications for the installation of bumps and the appropriateness of speed limits in this area, making an appropriate decision. Therefore, any person has the right to go there and request documentation for a specific IDN.
By the way, recently opened an interesting art cafe called Speed ​​Bump in Pervouralsk. In addition to delicious cuisine and affordable prices, the institution boasts an original interior: traffic lights, traffic signs and quotes from famous people hang on the walls here. True, due to the conflict with local security forces, his activities had to be suspended. Law enforcement officers considered the name incorrect, and also constantly visited with checks to see if the road paraphernalia was stolen directly from the tracks. The cafe representatives themselves admitted that they could not even think about such problems when choosing a name for their institution. Therefore, the sign had to be slightly modified: today, the cafe is simply called “Recumbent”.