5.1 Respect Speed Breakers
Speed breakers, also known as speed humps or bumps, are designed to slow down vehicles in high-risk zones like schools, hospitals, and residential areas.
They may feel like a nuisance, but they serve a critical purpose: saving lives.
NOTE: It is important for the speed breakers to be designed in a safe manner. It should be visible at night. More on this later in this lesson.
Why Speed Breakers Exist
- Force drivers to reduce speed in sensitive zones
- Protect pedestrians, especially children and elderly
- Prevent accidents at intersections or blind curves
- Encourage safer driving in narrow or crowded streets
A speed breaker is a warning: “Slow down, lives are nearby.”
Speed Breakers in India
In India, speed breakers are commonly found near:
- Schools and colleges
- Hospitals and clinics
- Railway crossings
- Residential colonies
- Market areas and intersections
They may be marked with white stripes, signage, or sometimes not marked at all, so always stay alert.
Umarked speed humps are a risk. Hope they're marked and painted in white. Until they're done, some observations can help : ✅ We can find speed breakers in built-up areas where there were crashes in the past. ✅ Slow down in built-up areas ✅ Keep watching for activity around
More examples later.
What Happens When You Ignore Them
- Damage to your vehicle’s suspension, tires, or underbody
- Loss of control, especially on two-wheelers
- Risk of hitting pedestrians or cyclists
- Legal penalties for rash or negligent driving
Speeding over a hump is dangerous. It can also damage your vehicle's suspension if speed is not respected.
Legal Guidelines
According to Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines:
- Speed breakers should be clearly marked and visible
- Drivers must slow down to 10–25 km/h when approaching one
- Rash driving over speed breakers can be penalized under the Motor Vehicles Act
What You Should Do
- Always slow down when you see a speed breaker sign or marking
- Avoid sudden braking
- Reduce speed gradually
- Be extra cautious at night or in low-visibility areas
- Watch for pedestrians near speed breakers
Common Misconceptions
| Misconception | Reality |
|---|---|
| "Speed breakers are annoying." | They’re placed to protect lives, not to irritate drivers. |
| "I can just swerve around them." | Swerving is risky and can cause accidents. |
| "There’s no one around, I can speed over it." | You may not see a pedestrian or cyclist until it’s too late. |
Key Takeaways
- Speed breakers are safety tools, not obstacles.
- Always slow down and approach them with care.
- Respecting them shows you value life.
Real life examples
Viewer discretion is advised
Be safe at speed breakers, they may not be as per standards prescribed by Indian Road Congress, they may not be marked, they may not have alert signboard on both sides ; Video is from last weekend, Kiran Park society of Puna area in Surat, a child suffered serious injury
Ouch! This seems to have happened on a newly made unmarked speed breaker on golf course road in Gurugram! Got it in one of my groups. Damn! Can anyone from Gurgaon confirm this
In many places, you will see speed breakers built with no markings.
Below is a good example of how a speed breaker should be built.
This is how speed breakers must be made and clearly indicated. Here in RamaRaoNagar colony, illegal speed breakers are built with no markings. In @GHMCOnline app none can complain. Remove them n save spines of elderly. @revanth_anumula @KTRBRS @TelanganaToday @ManaTelanganaIN
Not so good examples:
Hey @mybmc - please remove this illegal speed breaker. Location - Wadia School, JP road Andheri West. It is causing damage to multiple vehicles @MTPHereToHelp , @MumbaiPolice - please charge the person responsible. 🙏 #mumbai #andheri
Speed breakers without reflective markings and rumble strips are an open invitation to accidents. And sadly, such death-traps aren’t rare. You’ll find them scattered across country, courtesy of Babus & Contractors who seem to be high on something. 🤦♂️🤡
Hosa Road, Bengaluru! See the unique design of @GBA_office engineering — creating an elevated drainage that has created an unnecessary speed breaker, destroying roads and causing jams! Don’t know what they smoke. Is their engineering degree genuine? @GBAChiefComm @DKShivakumar
🚨 A speed breaker lacking reflective markings, with a rumble strip beside it, is nothing short of blatant criminal negligence. Babus and Contractors must be high on something to let this happen. IDIOTS🤦♂️🤡
Uneven Speed breaker, no painting , Today escaped from minor accident @dm_malkangiri @RachakondaCop Sir plz remove this or paint it. We are fed up with this @GHMCOnline . @revanth_anumula plz do sudden inspection to look real hyd. Before building AI city.
#Mumbai @mybmc Watch this work of a Genius. But it can be Dangerous & cause Fatalities. A Unmarked Speedbreaker with a seperate lane for bypassing it.. Location: Outside Privilege Inn, Opp. Fire Station, Malad Link Road, Malad West 🎥 © @nikkhhiljethwa
Another year of paying an 8 figure tax, yet what I get - potholes & speed breakers which hit the underbelly of your car. It hits like a punch in the guts. Our inner city roads and maintenance is probably the only interface with the govt. For the rest you depend on private
Speedbreaker of the year award. Kia Seltos stuck in Bhopal. Source: msn.com/en-in/news/oth…
Umarked speed humps are a risk. Hope they're marked and painted in white. Until they're done, some observations can help : ✅ We can find speed breakers in built-up areas where there were crashes in the past. ✅ Slow down in built-up areas ✅ Keep watching for activity around
Great work!
After noticing that many vehicles were unable to spot the newly installed speed breakers, I took the initiative to install barricades for better visibility and safety. Let’s work together for safer roads. #RoadSafety #TrafficAwareness #hydroadwarrior
Next time you see a speed breaker...
Don’t get annoyed. Get alert instead.
“Slow down. Someone’s life may depend on it.”