Study Finds Speed Humps May Have a Pollution Problem

A new report from researchers at the University of York in the UK has found that the placement of speed humps on the road may have some unintended consequences. Patrick Sawer of The Telegraph (UK) reports that researchers have found that as drivers break and accelerate over speed humps, autos are releasing unhealthy particulates as exhaust at higher levels than is found around other traffic calming measures. Researchers have joined calls from hump opponents warning that the placement of speed humps, particularly outside of schools, may be causing more harm than good.

Roger Lawson, of the Alliance of British Drivers, backed calls to remove road humps from outside schools , as well as elsewhere, saying they damaged health while having a negligible impact on safety.

He said: “Road humps provide no real safety benefit and they have a negative impact on pollution. There are lots of alternative traffic calming measures which can be used more effectively near schools, such as road narrowing and speed display devices. Most road accidents with children do not take place outside their schools, but councils like to indulge in gestures such as fitting humps.”