Speed Bumps Cause Global Warming
According to a study commissioned by the AA, speed bumps are responsible for doubling the carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption of cars and vans because they force drivers to brake and accelerate repeatedly. Speed bumps are cited by London Ambulance Service as the cause of up to 500 deaths a year due to delays in reaching those suffering a cardiac arrest.
The AA study presents some interesting figures. For example, slowing from 30mph to 20mph resulted in 10% higher emissions, due to the fact that car engines are designed to be most efficient at speeds above 30mph. There has been some talk of making the speed limit in residential, built up areas a mandatory 20mph but it is clear that doing so would result in significant increases in unwanted emissions. So what is the answer?
Reducing speeds from 30mph to 20mph raises survival rates of those hit by a moving vehicle significantly. Around 10% of pedestrians hit at 20mph would die compared with around 50% at 30mph so there is no argument over the benefits of slower speeds. But speed bumps don’t appear to be the answer.
Average-speed cameras are currently being tested in London. The Home Office has been monitoring the field trials of these average-speed cameras for nearly three years but they have yet to complete the approval process. Somebody there really needs to pull their finger out, or come up with a better solution.
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Written by Dr_Bob on February 11th, 2008 with
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#1. February 11th, 2008, at 5:56 PM.
I fucking hate speedbumps, they do NOTHING to help my back. The ones that fuck me off most are the square ones that everyone fucking drives around anyway!