By Echeburu Oby
Speed bumps also called speed breakers are the common name for a family of traffic calming devices that use vertical deflection to slow motor-vehicle traffic in order to improve pedestrian’s safety.
However, Speed bumps often meet resistance from residents and road users because of their discomforting nature arising from unlawful and indiscriminate installation/construction by individuals
In Nigeria (like in many other countries), the law prohibits the construction of speed bumps on highways, it is only with government approval that bumps should be erected even in residential areas.
Katampe extension is a developing phase 2 district of Abuja city, it is designated as a “diplomatic zone” and its mainly residential.
But lately the residential area has been flooded with thousands of speed breakers, ostensibly to control the speed of vehicles plying the roads. some of the hazards posed by the bumps to vehicle owners are “accelerated wear and tear of the vehicles and damage to vehicle suspension systems as most of these bumps are not professionally designed.”
This is to sensitize and facilitate removal of illegal and inappropriate speed bumps in Katampe Extension. Viewpoint calls on the Hon Minister of the Federal Capital Development Authority to Urgently Control the Indiscriminate Erection of Speed Bumps on Attahiru Jega street, Patrick Yakowa street Katampe extension Abuja and enforce compliance with speed limits.
