Speed bumpUnited Kingdom
Traffic rules
United Kingdom
7. Speed bump
A speed bump is a raised traffic-calming device placed across all or part of a road to make drivers reduce their speed. It is commonly used near homes, schools, crossings, parking areas and other places where low vehicle speeds are important.
Speed bumps vary in shape, height and legal status. Drivers should approach them at a low, controlled speed and follow any warning signs or speed limits that apply.
Wikimedia.org • LepoRello • CC BY-SA
How should I recognise and approach a speed bump in the United Kingdom?
In Great Britain, the Highway Code uses road humps as an example of traffic-calming measures. Reduce speed through the whole area and watch for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users. Northern Ireland has its own Highway Code.
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 152–153; crossing Rules 170,195
🔗 gov.uk • DfT Know Your Traffic Signs: traffic calming (Great Britain)
Warning for a speed bump.
English • GB diagram 557.1 • Road humps. A road hump or series of road humps is ahead. Reduce speed; an accompanying plate may show their extent or direction.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Legislation.gov.uk • Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions • Great Britain
🔗 Gov.uk • Department for Transport • Know your traffic signs
SVG source: UK Government • Public domain • Original revision 2014-08-03. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Which speed should I use at a raised device in the United Kingdom?
Use a low speed through traffic-calming areas and obey the applicable limit. The Highway Code advises maintaining a reduced speed through a sequence of measures rather than accelerating and braking between individual humps.
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 152–153; crossing Rules 170,195
🔗 gov.uk • DfT Know Your Traffic Signs: traffic calming (Great Britain)
Does a raised road surface give pedestrians priority in the United Kingdom?
A raised device alone does not identify pedestrian priority. If it incorporates a crossing, apply the crossing’s controls and the national rules. In Great Britain, you should give way to pedestrians waiting at a zebra crossing and must give way once they have moved onto it. At junctions, you should give way to people crossing or waiting to cross the road you turn into or out of.
🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 152–153; crossing Rules 170,195
🔗 gov.uk • DfT Know Your Traffic Signs: traffic calming (Great Britain)
