Road humps, designed to slow down traffic, boost pollution by 10 times in residential areas, new research reveals. They force drivers to brake and accelerate repeatedly, pumping toxic fumes into the air. The RAC (Royal Automobile Club) is calling for the 80,000 humps which have been built in Britain to be reviewed urgently.
The research was carried out in Austria on a mile long stretch of road with six humps and a 40kph speed limit. Scientists found that cars negotiating the bumps belched out 10 times more nitrogen oxide, 3 times more poisonous carbon monoxide, and 25% more carbon dioxide, linked to global warming, than vehicles maintaining a constant speed. Fuel consumption rose from 7.9 litres to nearly 10 litres per 100 km. The report concluded: "A regular traffic flow would therefore always be more environmentally friendly".
The RAC said "We wholeheartedly support traffic calming, but not road bumps which are very nasty in terms of creating extra air pollution, especially in areas where people live".
From an article in the Daily Express, London, UK October 1995.