In most cases, decreasing speed increases safety - but what about emergency vehicles? Speed is pivotal for ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles. In emergencies, poorly placed speed humps can be a hazard. There are a few simple ways for speed humps to accommodate emergency vehicles :
- Offset installation
Speed humps can be installed in a staggered formation between opposing lanes. During an emergency, response vehicles can maintain higher speeds by swerving into oncoming lanes to effectively slalom around each hump.
- Speed cushion configuration
Ambulances and fire trucks have wider axles than passenger vehicles. Speed humps can be installed in speed cushion configuration - with cut-outs at designated widths to let emergency vehicles pass through unimpeded.