What is the best way to drive over speed bumps? Probably not the way you're doing it!

From: David Baker, Stubb Lane, Brede
What's the best approach for a speed bump? SUS-180510-101242001What's the best approach for a speed bump? SUS-180510-101242001
What's the best approach for a speed bump? SUS-180510-101242001

I was interested to read a report in the Rye Observer about a purported increase in damage to cars from road humps.

One very destructive effect is when drivers try to straddle the “hump” by placing nearside and offside wheels either side of it on opposite flanges (the side-ramps each side of the hump) and appearing to drive straight over to synchronise the rise and fall across both wheels, thus avoiding the yawing effect of one wheel going up and one staying straight on.

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By straddling the hump an outward force is exerted by the side-flanges which puts strain on each wheel and its attachment to the axle or subframe.

The flanges of the hump literally push the lower part of each wheel outwards.

This also forces tracking out of alignment and damages the inside surface of the tyre by rubbing against the hump flange, also putting pressure on it to exert an outward force on the rim to which it is attached. Why does everybody do this?

It causes damage to the car, wear on the inner surface of the tyre (the most difficult part to see) and forces tracking out of alignment.

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The safest way is to put one wheel over the hump and the other on the road space beside it, or, without causing problems for oncoming traffic, go very slowly over two adjacent humps – one wheel on the top of one, the other on the top of the hump adjacent to it.

When servicing and repair costs are so expensive, it’s another tip to cut bills.

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