Speed Bump Buying Guide
Speed bumps are vital for slowing down vehicles and enhancing road safety on roads and in schools, car parks, private estates, and industrial sites across the UK.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before buying speed bumps. We’ll cover what to consider before purchasing speed bumps, the types of speed bumps available, legislation and how to install the speed ramps.
Things to consider
For areas with HGVs, such as industrial estates, heavy duty speed bumps are more suitable. For light traffic, such as on driveways or private roads, 50mm or 75mm speed bumps can be recommended.
Always gain permission from the landowner prior to installing speed ramps. For private roads, consult other residents. For public areas consult the council.
Check the width of your road to determine the required length of speed bump. Remember to leave space at the sides of the speed bumps for cyclists, wheelchairs and pushchairs.
The Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999 provides guidance on where to safely install speed humps including not installing speed ramps within 30m of a zebra crossing or within 20m of a bridge.
Consider how many speed bumps you require. Regulations recommend a minimum distance of 20 - 150 meters in between speed bumps, the average is 70m. Placing speed humps too close together can damage vehicles.
Rubber speed bumps are generally cheaper, quicker to install and low maintenance, while concrete speed bumps can last longer when installed correctly. Portable and plastic solutions are also available.
Types of Speed Bumps
- 60mm height slows vehicles to approximately 10mph
- Heavy-duty design supports up to 60,000kg, ideal for industrial sites
- Rubber with internal steel plate for added strength
- Reflectors(cat’s eyes)for enhanced visibility
- Black and yellow finish for high visibility
- 75mm high slows vehicles to approximately 5mph
- 20,000kg capacity, ideal for private roads, schools, and driveways
- Anti-slip surface ensures optimal traction
- Reflective chevrons enhance visibility
- Modular black and yellow design for high visibility
- 50mm height slows vehicles to approximately 10mph
- Durable 20,000kg capacity, ideal for private roads, schools, and driveways
- Anti-slip surface ensures optimal traction
- Reflective chevrons enhance visibility
- Black and yellow design for high visibility
- 65mm height slows vehicles to approximately 6mph
- 20,000kg capacity, ideal for private roads, schools, and driveways
- Wide design allows emergency vehicles to safely bypass=
- Highly visible white markings for enhanced safety
- Available in black or red
Heavy Duty Speed Bumps
- 60mm height slows vehicles to approximately 10mph
- Heavy-duty design supports up to 60,000kg, ideal for industrial sites
- Rubber construction with internal steel plate for added strength
- Reflectors(cat’s eyes) for enhanced visibility
- Black and yellow finish for high visibility
75mm Speed Bumps
- 75mm high slows vehicles to approximately 5mph
- Durable 20,000kg capacity, ideal for private roads, schools, and driveways
- Anti-slip surface ensures optimal traction
- Reflective chevrons enhance visibility
- Modular black and yellow design for easy installation and high visibility
50mm Speed Bumps
- 50mm height slows vehicles to approximately 10mph
- Durable 20,000kg capacity, ideal for private roads, schools, and driveways
- Anti-slip surface ensures optimal traction
- Reflective chevrons enhance visibility
- Modular black and yellow design for easy installation and high visibility
Speed Cushions
- 65mm height slows vehicles to approximately 6mph
- Durable 20,000kg capacity, ideal for private roads, schools, and driveways
- Wide design allows emergency vehicles to bypass with ease
- Highly visible white marking enhances safety
- Available in black or red
Speed Bump Installation Guide
- All of our rubber speed bumps and speed cushions come with pre-drilled holes, fixings for tarmac and concrete, and a drill bit. The fixing is an M10 x 120mm. The SDS drill bit has a diameter of 14mm, a drill length of 150mm, and a total length of 276mm.
- Installation can usually be done by a confident DIYer or handyman. Always gain permission from the landowner prior to installing.
- When fitting speed bumps, we recommend leaving a gap between the kerb and the speed bump to allow cyclists and mobility scooters to safely bypass the ramp. Consider the height of the speed ramps and whether low clearance vehicles will be passing over. For instance, in industrial estates, you may wish to consider alternative layouts, such as two speed ramps with a central gap to allow low-clearance machinery—such as forklifts and pallet trucks—to pass through.
- Before fitting the speed bumps, ensure the road surface is flat, clean, and dry. Mark out where you plan to drill and fit the speed ramps. Drill holes where required; the holes should be 120mm–140mm deep. Ensure the holes are free from dust and debris, insert the fixings, and secure the speed bumps in place. We recommend using hand tools to prevent damage to the fixings.
- Speed bumps should be regularly checked for signs of wear and damage, and replaced when needed.
Speed Bump Legislation - Key Takeaways
- In the UK, The Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999 outlines speed bump requirements, including their size and placement. We recommend reviewing this guidance before installing speed ramps.
- The regulations advise that speed bumps be installed in well-lit areas and that warning signs are in place to alert road users. When using traffic signs, refer to the Traffic Signs Regulations for guidance on proper positioning.
- Speed humps should not be located within 20 metres of a rail track, or within 25 metres of a bridge over which the highway passes. They also should not be located within 30 metres of pelican crossings.
- Speed bumps should be 25mm to 100mm high to allow vehicles to pass safely. Shallower gradients may be necessary for certain vehicles, so it’s important to assess what types of vehicles will use the road.
Complementary Traffic Calming Products
- Promotes one-way traffic flow
- Reduce vehicles to speeds of 5mph
- Ideal for car parks, business parks and industrial estates
- High-visibility yellow finish
- Use in conjunction with speed ramps
- Provided with fixings for ease of installation
- Alerts road users to upcoming speed bumps
- 5mph, 10mph and plain speed bump signs available
- Wall-mounted and post-mounted solutions available
- BS EN 12899 compliant, the UK standard for fixed, vertical road traffic signs
- Reflective surface for high visibility
- Slow vehicles to speeds of 5mph
- Portable design for temporary traffic control and cable protection
- Protects cables and hoses with 1, 2, 3, or 5 channel options
- Ideal for events, car parks, driveways, and more
- Interlocking design, cover your required length
- Temporarily restrict vehicle access with telescopic or removable parking bollards
- Reflective solutions for high visibility
- Supplied with lock and keys for secure installation
- Heavy-duty steel construction for durability
- Weather- and rust-resistant for long-term outdoor use
Flow Plates
- Promotes one-way traffic flow
- Reduce vehicles to speeds of 5mph
- Ideal for car parks, business parks and industrial estates
- High-visibility yellow finish
- Provided with fixings for ease of installation
- Use in conjunction with speed ramps
Speed Bump Warning Signs
- Alerts road users to upcoming speed bumps
- 5mph, 10mph and plain speed bump signs available
- Wall and post-mounted solutions available
- BS EN 12899 compliant, the UK standard road signs
- Reflective surface for high visibility
Heavy Duty Cable Protectors
- Slow vehicles to speeds of 5mph
- Portable design for temporary traffic control and cable protection
- Protects cables and hoses with 1, 2, 3, or 5 channel options
- Ideal for events, car parks, driveways, and more
- Interlocking design, cover your required length
Removable Parking Bollards
- Temporarily restrict vehicle access with removable parking bollards
- Built-in reflectors for high visibility
- Unique lock and key for enhanced security
- Heavy-duty steel construction for durability
- Weather- and rust-resistant for long-term outdoor use
Request a callback
Still need assistance? Our team is available throughout the week to help via phone, email, live chat or WhatsApp. If you’d rather we call you, you can easily request a callback here.