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Why are speed humps installed in places where slowing down can encourage pedestrians to cross the road?

I had a near miss last week due to a speed hump. The ones near where I work in Kempston have tiled tops and are breaking up. I braked approaching one and a group of youngish pedestrians on the pavement nearby took it as a cue to cross the road (never my intention, or indeed, thought) and stepped out in front of me, necessitating emergency braking to avoid hitting them. Yet another argument against these abominations perhaps.

Asked on 13 November 2010 by MB, via email

Answered by Honest John
Absolutely. On the Brighton to London Futurecar Run I had the pleasure of being directed down Brighton Road, Coulsdon (Coulsdon 'high street') and that has the best solution I have ever seen. Short cobbled patches across the road, narrow single lanes each way for vehicles, ample parking spaces; generally a high street that welcomes both vehicles and pedestrians and leads a driver to cut his speed to 20mph whatever the limit it.
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