Speed Humps Prompt Complaints

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Okla. -- Norman city officials installed over 100 speed humps in an effort to slow down traffic.  Many neighborhood residents welcomed the change of pace.

"There was so much really fast traffic before," resident Margie Baker said. "Sometimes, they go 50, 60 m.p.h. through here."

The humps are mostly found on residential streets. Carter Avenue boasts five speed humps.

"Believe it or now, a street as quiet as Carter will have folks driving at 60 mph," Norman traffic engineer Angelo Lombardo said. "These tables have basically eliminated that reckless driving behavior."

Norman currently has a total of 157 speed humps, 100 of them installed during the summer months. The city believes they help the speeding problems, but the community members' opinions vary.

"I don't like it because I just have a little Honda Civic, so it kind of like, you know, takes the bottom out a few times," resident Kristin Orr said.

Some drivers complained about the impact the humps have had on their cars.

"I see their purpose, but they tear up the car quite a bit," resident Chris Conaway said.

After receiving complaints from riders, Norman's bus system changed two routes to avoid the humps.

"It's very rough on their backs. It's rough on our drivers' backs, but most importable it's taken a toll on the maintenance of our vehicles," said Kris Glenn of Cleveland area Rapid Transit.

Fire officials also complained about the humps, claiming they're a nuisance when responding to a fire or medical emergency.

Next Wednesday, Norman citizens will have a chance to air their support or their concerns about the speed humps at a public meeting.