This Speed Bump Is a Tyre Killer… Unless You’re Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road

Traffic violations and a lack of traffic discipline are significant issues affecting major cities in India. Many drivers resort to taking wrong routes to save time and fuel, often oblivious to the potential dangers to themselves and others on the road.

To curb this behavior, the idea of installing “tyre killer” speed bumps was introduced. These speed bumps appear as regular speed breakers for vehicles traveling in the right direction. However, if a vehicle tries to go the wrong way, integrated spikes will puncture the tires, rendering them unusable.

While the concept of tyre killer speed bumps seems promising, the implementation in Ahmedabad has faced challenges. Reports suggest that the effectiveness of these speed bumps in deterring wrong-way drivers is not as significant as expected.

Overall, addressing traffic violations and improving traffic discipline remains a complex challenge for authorities in Indian cities, requiring a comprehensive approach and better awareness among drivers about the importance of following traffic rules for the safety of all road users.

What are tyre killer speed bumps?

The functioning of the “tyre killer” speed breaker system is important to understand. These speed breakers are equipped with integrated spikes that are spring-loaded. When vehicles pass over them in the correct direction, the spikes contract and do not pose any danger. However, if a vehicle attempts to cross the speed breaker from the wrong direction, the spikes do not retract, and they remain in place.

The sturdy spikes are designed to pierce through the tires of the vehicles going the wrong way, rendering them unusable. Due to their size and construction, the spikes can cause significant damage to the tires, often making them irreparable. This serves as a deterrent for drivers to avoid breaking traffic rules, as replacing damaged tires can be expensive.

The implementation of these tyre killer speed breakers began in Pune, a large city with a considerable number of vehicles. It later spread to Delhi-NCR and Ahmedabad, with multiple locations getting these speed breakers.

However, despite their initial promise as a means of enforcing traffic rules, some cities like Pune and Noida decided to remove these speed breakers. In Ahmedabad, reports suggest that the effectiveness of these speed breakers is limited.

The challenges faced in maintaining and ensuring the proper functioning of these speed breakers might be some of the reasons for their removal. Additionally, there could be concerns about potential accidents or damages caused by the spikes.

Overall, the use of tyre killer speed breakers highlights the efforts of authorities to improve traffic discipline. However, their implementation and long-term effectiveness require careful consideration and monitoring.

Tyre Killer Speed Bumps In Ahmedabad – Do they even work?

As reported by News18 Gujarati, the effectiveness of these “tyre killer” speed breakers has been questionable. Despite the intended purpose of causing damage to tires when vehicles approach from the opposite direction, the spring-loaded spikes are retracting inside even in such cases.

This unexpected behavior has led road users to develop a false sense of security, believing that these speed breakers pose no threat. As observed in the video, vehicles of all types confidently pass over these speed breakers without any damage. While the concept behind these speed breakers is commendable, there are evident drawbacks.

One significant concern is for newcomers to the city who may not be aware of these speed breakers’ design. They could unknowingly fall victim to these retracting spikes, leading to tire damage at the least, and in worst-case scenarios, fatal accidents with casualties.

The lack of proper functioning and potential risks associated with these speed breakers raise questions about their reliability and safety. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensuring the intended purpose of enforcing traffic rules and encouraging safer driving practices on the roads.