I am looking for some suggestions on how to rectify a situation I have dealt with for the last 5 years.

I live in a small town down a residential street. The street I live down is used as a short cut because of it's location. Many people take this short cut to avoid traffic lights in the town. The speed limit is 25 MPHs...

I have 2 kids and 2 dogs that play in our small front yard. Often times, people (especially teenagers) will fly down this street doing upward of 55 MPHs. I have talked to my neighbors and they have tried in the past to get a speed bump in the middle of the road, but that hasn't happened. This street is also accessable from the bowling alley that has a bar in it. So, often times bar patrons will come tearing out of the bowling alley also.

I have been in 7 verbal confrontations and 1 fight that was quickly broken up after my neighbor pulled me off of the guy. My plan is to have everyone on the street sign a petition and take it to the next Town Meeting. I don't think this has been tried as of yet but I can't be sure.

Regardless, I want to do something before I end up going to jail for assult or I have to bury one of my kids or my dogs. So, I am trying to figure out what would be the best way to make a homemade speed bump in the middle of the road. I am prepared to go as far as I need to to defend my actions but I need to procede with caution as to not make it to where I will start getting lawsuits because someone claimed I messed up their car when they hit going 55. I plan on posting a homemade sign in my front yard alerting the speeders that there is one present, and I know I would have buy in from all my neighbors. But the dilema is, what should I make this out of that will hold up to traffic. Also, I would have to make this in my garage somehow, complete it and then put it in the road. I can't necessarily close the road while I construct this.

May sound a little out there but I am fed up and I am open to any suggestions you guys may have... Alternatively, if anyone has a better suggestion on how to get these assclowns to slow down, then I am all ears. I have complained to the local PD, but because the town is small there are only 2 patrol cars on at one time, so the PD will stick someone on the street for a day or 2 to shut me up, then it's back to the same old thing.

 

Buy an decommissioned crown vic PI and put a dummy in it holding a hair dryer. Then proceed with getting the town to pony up the speedbump.

 

get everyone together and buy one!

http://www.roadtech.com/speedbumps_p...FQkiagodpjF-xQ

 

Great idea, but that's going to put a bigger dent in the pocket book than I had hoped for. You're a LEO aren't ya? What do you think is the worst thing that could happen to me (from a legal standpoint) if I made one out of wood or asphault? I would do it in 2 or 3 sections I'm thinking. I don't see how any jury could convict me of anything once they realize my intentions and I have all my neighbors as witnesses on my behalf.

I would think I could get in more trouble for "Impersonating a LEO" if I went down that road also. You would know better than I would though.

 

There's an idea. I didn't even think of that. Good call. Thanks. I wasn't aware that they sold them.

 

I believe it is illeagle to modify the street. I've seen this issue solved before, with the city council with the residents payingb the City to install a speed bump.

 

Speedbumps can be fun...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qJ8l_aTbug


I wonder what kind of lawsuit you could get slapped with for putting a speedbump on a public street... Even if it's residential. I'm sure you'd have to have a sign, too. A speed bump in a 25 mph zone could still screw up a vehicle the first time you find it in the dark.

 

There's a difference between criminal and civil charges...Criminally, you're looking at defacing public property or some other similar ordinance, civilly, you could be charged with a miriad of things. If anyone were to be injured by YOU placing a speedbump on a public road, you would be liable. So doing it yourself wouldn't be advisable. Now you could put up a sign warning of a speedbump or a dip in the road or the impending apocolypse for that matter and you would PROBABLY be OK. Making someone think there is something to slow down for isn't a crime, hence the fake cop idea.

 

Nice. I think I just found my solution. $130 for the 6' rubberized speed bump with reflective yellow tape. Includes the hardware and shipping is only $22... I'm sure my neighbors would be on board with this.

I'll take it up at the next Town Hall meeting and try and see how on board they are about having the city put one in. If nothing comes of it, then I will more than likely go down this road. Thanks a ton man. You probably saved a life.

 

JK, I had a similiar situation. Actually it was an ex's parents house. Same thing, lived close to a highschool, so street was used as short cut. Too many dogs and kids play in that street. My ex's parents continued to bug the city for it. Raised money with bake sales and other different odd ball ways of getting dough. After a while though, the city came in and built speed humps. Real large speed bumps, where if ya don't slow down you fawk your chit up !! ( most people can fly over regular speed bumps and it does nothing but give a "bump" ) I can ask about it if ya need. I am sure its different here vs there, but still, its a first hand account.

 

JK: do NOT put one up yourself. Law suits and other fines will be heading your way quickly, I can promise you that.

Another option, is to hang out front of the house. If you KNOW when these kids are flying by, pull the truck out and block their passage. Get out and "explain" to them what they are doing. Might scare em straight.







or spike strips !!! (kidding)

 

Gotcha. That makes sense. The next Town Hall meeting is Tuesday. I'm going to write a letter to my neighbors telling them what my intentions are so there are no surprises. Thanks for the advice.

 

I like the spike strips idea. I hear though. I have done the what you have suggested by hanging out in front of the house, hence the 7 confrontations. I think I know the best approach to take on this and I'll keep you guys posted on the progress. I've about had it with this though. My kids safety is well worth the risk of any punishment I may face. I'll use my head and keep you guys posted.

 

Park you're car on the street and have a neighbor park on the other side of the street, creating a narrow "channel" the cars have to navigate through. This slows them down, especially if you have an old truck and not really the best Parking job...

I bet you can get your speed bumps approved though. You see them all over the place on side roads...

Good luck.

 

A hammer through a speeders window will work wonders and seems to be way more effective then screaming at them as they go by. Also a ball rolled out in front of them usually slows them down to a scretching holt followed by you running to the street to stare them down as they wait for you to get your ball.