Giving Speeders The Hump

Currently speed humps are the cause of much debate. Driving over speed humps may damage your vehicle and cause discomfort in your passengers. They can also cause higher emissions due to more inefficient driving.

Around 1,000 new 'robo-humps' which automatically retract for drivers travelling within the speed limit are to be introduced to the UK next year.

The new design features a rubber air filled canopy with a pressure valve that detects the oncoming speed of traffic. If the vehicle is travelling within the limit the hump deflates.

The transcalm humps will be replacing traditional sleeping policemen in London and Birmingham following a successful trial in the City of London.

The change is hoped to avoid the stop-start driving that accompanies the mini mountain ranges wherever they crop up on the streets and to cut down on motor insurance claims for scraped front and rear spoilers and skirting.

The humps are programmable to suit different speed restrictions or vehicle types and will automatically retract for emergency vehicles. This means that busses and emergency vehicles will have less trouble driving over them than with conventional concrete humps.

Road safety groups and motor insurance companies have welcomed the innovation.

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