Are speed bumps legal? Do they comply with regulations?

Erroneously, part of Spanish society considers that any type of speed bump placed in certain locations in our towns and cities is an illegal obstacle and, therefore, can be reported. Some people also argue that these speed reducers damage vehicles and can be dangerous for cyclists and motorcyclists. However, the truth is that they serve an essential function of road safety and are placed in high-risk areas for accidents or pedestrian collisions, such as near schools. To focus the controversy on its rightful place, rather than questioning the existence of speed bumps, we should consider what characteristics a speed bump must meet to comply with the law.

What is a speed bump?

The Order FOM/3053/2008 defines it as a device placed on the road surface to control the speed of traffic during a specific section of the road. Its objective is to create vertical acceleration to ensure that cars pass over it at an appropriate speed. This regulation also establishes criteria to regulate and standardize them.

Types of speed bumps

The Ministry of Development's order regulates two types of speed bumps:

Raised pedestrian crossing or trapezoidal section. To be legal, it must measure from six to nine meters from side to side, with four of those meters for the upper and flat part of the bump. This margin depends on the speed at which the road is usually traveled. So, if the usual speed is 30 km/h, the inclined part must measure one meter. If driving at 40 km/h, that part must measure one and a half meters, and two and a half meters if driving at 50 km/h. Additionally, this type of speed bump cannot exceed a height of 10 cm (as the maximum height) and the entrance edge measurement must not exceed five millimeters.
Speed hump or circular section. This is not used as a pedestrian crossing and is made of durable rubber or plastic material. It can measure up to four meters in length and never exceed six centimeters in height at its central point. They must also have an entrance edge of less than five millimeters.

Check out the approved speed bump models from our catalog.

What does the regulation say? Where should they be placed?

According to the regulations applied by municipalities, speed bumps can only be placed in areas where it is possible to indicate through vertical signage the obligation to reduce speed. Their purpose is to ensure that the driver complies with the established speed limit. The order also states that if multiple speed bumps are placed in a row, they must maintain a minimum distance of 50 meters and a maximum of 200 meters between them. It is recommended that they be installed 150 meters apart from each other.

Adaptation of speed bumps prior to 2008

This technical regulation provided a two-year period for the various administrations to adapt all speed bumps under their responsibility to the established measures. This means that, since 2010, there should be no speed bumps on our roads and highways that do not comply with the described types.

Who does this safety technical regulation affect?

Although it is a ministerial order whose jurisdiction would be limited to state roads, Article 5 of Royal Decree 1428/2003 states that all bumps that do not comply with the basic regulations established by the Ministry of Development will be considered obstacles on the road. This regulation, therefore, obliges regional and local administrations to comply with what is stipulated by the ministerial order. The consideration of an obstacle on the road implies the possibility of incurring liability by the competent road administration in the event of an accident caused by it. Ultimately, it involves covering the damages caused from public funds. Furthermore, from a criminal perspective, Article 385 of the Penal Code establishes prison sentences and community service for those who place obstacles on the road and do not restore their safety.

The need for approved speed reducers as a precaution

The improvement of roads and technological advancements in automotive proposals have made us accustomed to feeling safe at high speeds. The problem arises when we are in urban areas. Distractions and the presence of numerous risk areas force authorities to ensure, beyond vertical signage, that speed is reduced to prevent accidents. Speed bumps serve as the perfect warning to alert drivers to exercise caution. They signal that we must pay close attention because we are near a school, a residence, a playground, or an area frequented by pedestrians. We should feel a slight discomfort, nothing more, when passing over them at an inappropriate speed. Authorities must ensure that their placement does not pose a greater danger. The speed bumps established by the ministry are legal and do not damage vehicles or the people traveling in them. Those that do not adhere to those guidelines are not speed bumps but obstacles that can damage cars and cause accidents, especially for cyclists and motorcyclists.

Advocating for full compliance with the regulation for safety

Although the regulation is clear and has a descriptive and technical nature, various irregularities occur when implementing it, which the ministry itself should control. Many municipalities and councils, when installing a speed bump, instead of adjusting the sidewalk to the height of the raised pedestrian crossing, do the opposite. In this way, the speed bump reaches heights exceeding six or ten centimeters, depending on the type of speed bump. On the other hand, the regulation requires ensuring proper drainage of water that flows through, which is often not taken into account. Consequently, when it rains, there are puddles at the entrances and exits of the speed bumps. In conclusion, only the two types of speed bumps described by the Ministry of Development are legal. Those that do not meet the established measurements and shapes are obstacles and can be reported. If you have any doubts about which is the appropriate speed bump or speed reducer, feel free to consult us.