Speed humps/bumps soon regulated

The City Council pushes for the ordinance that will regulate the construction of humps and other protuberance on public roads.

The said measure, authored by Councilor Ralph Abella, was passed on first reading. He chairs the Committee on Agriculture and Food. The proposed ordinance is now referred jointly to the Committee in Transportation and Communications and the Committee on Rules, Privileges, Laws, and Ordinances.

The proposed ordinance eyes to amend Ordinance No. 0334-12 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of the City.

The amendments aims to include the “regulation of the construction of humps, speed bumps, or any protuberance on public roads within the territorial jurisdiction of the city, providing penalties therefore.”

“No person, natural or juridical shall construct/install any hump or any protuberance or any public road within the territorial jurisdiction of the City without approval from the City Mayor through the City Transport and Traffic Engineering and Infrastructure Division (TEID) of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO),” said the proposed ordinance.

It added that speed humps/bumps and other protuberance shall only be allowed along schools, hospital zones, private and public subdivisions, and highly hazardous and densely populated areas except in main roads or highways.

“There was an instance in our Barangay (Vicent Hizon, Sr.) where someone caused inconvenience because of putting a large bump out of a PVC pipe cut into half. This can break the under chassis of vehicles,” Abella said in a phone interview.

To implement the proposed law, the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) will be tasked to submit to the TEID under CTTMO an inventory of all humps/bumps and protuberance within their territorial jurisdiction.

The BLGU are also expected to issue Barangay Resolution of No Objection for the application of construction of humps/bumps or protuberance by private subdivisions, private/public schools/day care centers, private/public hospitals and clinics, business establishments and any local residents.

Meanwhile, the TEID shall evaluate and recommend to the City Mayor’s Office the approval or disapproval of applications and provide basic standards, specifications and guidelines as to the construction, methodology, and design of speed humps, bumps or protuberance.

The standards cover road grade or slope design, proximity to curve, street condition, curbs, spacing between humps, loading and unloading zones, diversion potential, proximity to water or electric utility access, and designated travel lanes.

It shall also provide alternative options in place such as rumble strips, install warning signs prior to the speed humps, bumps, and protuberance, and review all existing ones and recommend for its modification, alteration, or demolition.

The proposal eyes a P5,000 penalty or imprisonment of not more than six months on any person, officer of firm, corporation or association who will violate the provisions of the ordinance.