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Speed humps are benefit to no one

Ed Field

Published Wednesday, October 28, 2009

I think that speed humps constructed on public streets upon the request of a single homeowner is illegal. These homeowners do not own any particular section of their street.

We all pay taxes to maintain our streets with the very best travel surface. To place an elongated glob of hot mix across it compromises its surface and its aesthetic appeal. For one to impede our travel on our streets is an injustice to all of us. They may be slowing down a few bad guys, but they are harming a multitude of good guys.

It would seem to me that the tons of hot mix, expenses for equipment and labor and money spent for signage etc. used for speed humps could have been better spent in repairing pot holes around here.

I spoke with Supervisor Henry Watts several years ago, letting him know that should a speed bump be placed on any of the streets that I use in going to and from my home, that I would test the legality of these things in court. I am still as adamant about this, and believe I could present a very strong case.

A speed bump constructed upon the request of a signed petition by the majority of the neighborhood, to me would seem legal — perhaps not.

Speed bumps look awful and make a neighborhood look like a high crime area of drive-by shootings and fast getaways. To me, watching a line of cars traveling down one of these “washboard” roads looks like a Mexican barrio complete with jumping cars.

In addition, speed humps cause excessive wear and tear on our vehicles. They cause excessive wear on tires, brakes, suspension systems, shock absorbers and cause rattles in our dashboards.

The first step in solving a problem is to define the problem. Why would certain individuals want speed bumps and others do not? Have there been any children harmed lately by an influx of speeding accidents? The last child I can recall was about 20 years ago and involved a drunk driver driving his car in the gutter of a street. He drove up on the rear of a child riding his bike in the gutter, with disastrous results. Speed was not a factor. A thousand speed bumps would not have deterred this accident.

Do certain people want speed bumps since they are having difficulty getting onto the street because of traffic? These folks should have realized before they moved onto their busy street that traffic would be a problem. It is tantamount to buying a house near a busy airport and later complaining about the noise. We all must cope with something.

Speed control is, without question, a function of the police. My solution to this problem is, don’t tear up our cars with speed bumps, just call the police. I can guarantee that if enough people ring their bell enough times they will get results.

In addition, with a few extra tickets, the city may get a few extra bucks to hire a few extra policemen.

Ed Field

Natchez

Comments

Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Are you freakin kidding me? Speed humps slow traffic down. The police can't patrol every little neighborhood street on a regular basis. You really need to pick your battles and this is not a good one to argue.

Posted by grungebob (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen, to that, Ed. On the other hand, thanks to the fire ants I did lose 10 lbs of unightly flesh. I may apply for a patent - after I work out a few bugs (OUCH).

Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Fields, too bad you don't live close to Cathedral school. When school lets out, those kids drive up to 50 mph on small narrow streets acting like idiots. The police have been called many many times to no avail. A speed bump in the right place would stop this nonsense. Let a few parents pay for repairs and they would believe their precious children DRIVE LIKE MANIACS.

Posted by Sinbad (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think the speed bump in question is the only new one I have seen in town almost in front of one of our supervisor's home. Granted I haven't been on nearly all of the streets but I do travel around some.

I have no problem with speed bumps that deter speeding by causing a sharp jolt. The problem I do have is these mountains of asphault like the one on Lindburg Street that could easily cause a person to lose control of their vehicle by being lauched into the air if it's hit very fast.

There has to be a better design. Between the crape myrtles hanging into the street causing people to veer onto the other side of the street and the launch ramp of a speed bump only a few feet away, I cringe every time I meet a car in this location.

If the home owner will not keep the limbs trimed out of the street's right of way, public works needs to go in and clear it. Maybe Mr Henry Watts, with his political influence, could help us with this situation.

Posted by tiredoflosers (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ED you sir are a idiot!!!

Posted by nhs08 (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I will say that I am in favor of speed bumps. However, the new "bump" on Lindburg is MOUNTAINOUS!!!! You literally have to come to a "rolling stop" to get over the damn thing. It's ridiculous!

Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That's the point of speed bumps.

Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think you should challenge the legality of them Ed.

Just for something to do.

Posted by Crakalakin (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ed has a point, in theory anyway. Why should the many law-abiding citizens have to deal with speed bumps because a few decide to ignore the law? People like me do not believe in the state having the power of "precogs" to pretend they can predict crime. Their job is to investigate crimes, not take preemptive action against it's own citizens.

If ONE street has a speed bump, they all should. Every last one. Why is stopping speeding more important on one street than another? Who decides that and what criteria is used?

As our freedoms (even the little ones like being able to drive on a smooth flat road) are taken away, keep in mind it is the government punishing all for what a few criminals do. Each little, minute, liberty you once enjoyed and took for granted that has been revoked has been because of the irresponsible. Those who simply cannot behave so the government passes another law restricting what people can do. They are the bad guys in the barracks who get your furlough cancelled. They are the stealers of liberty.

Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is in order of demand. If no one on your street has ever requested one then you are probably not gonna get one. duh. And I doubt that only one person on Lindburg wanted a speedbump.

Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

These folks have it going on.

http://www.trafficlogix.com/speed-cushio...

Posted by Continental_Line (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Bump & Hump

Green eggs & ham

Could be a Lump,

I am Sam........"

Again, Dr. Suess could not come up with this stuff.