Dear Editor,
This letter represents concerned homeowners traveling the path of an overly aggressive use of speed humps on Country Club Road. While yes, the speed humps do serve a purpose of slowing down traffic, the intent of already installed stop signs are designed to do the same.
First let’s discuss the most important concern of all…response times from emergency personnel and their equipment. The local fire department is generally the first responder to an emergency medical situation. In 2012, the International Fire Code (IFC) was updated to specifically address traffic calming and to better ensure coordination with the fire department during traffic calming implementation. IFC Section 503.4.1 states that traffic calming measures placed on fire apparatus access roads "shall be prohibited unless approved by the fire code official." The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides codes and standards to protect from the danger of fires.
Standard 1141, titled "Standard for Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land Development in Wildland, Rural, and Suburban Areas," addresses traffic calming. In Section A.5.2.18, NFPA 1141 states that prior to installation of traffic calming, the authority having jurisdiction "should work with the emergency response departments to ensure traffic calming devices can be negotiated by emergency response vehicles in a safe and timely manner without damage to those responding vehicles." This slowing of an emergency services vehicle results in longer response times which in turn could have fatal results.
Next, let’s discuss the extensive damage to vehicles these ten speed humps can and will cause. Your car is designed to be tough enough to handle certain bumps and thumps, but the frequency and intensity of the occurrences, the harder it is on those components and will eventually lead to costly repair (brakes, shocks, front and rear alignment).
As expressed in this letter we would like to have all the speed humps removed. Our tax dollars fund a sheriff’s department that is more than capable of issuing citations for speeding violations and stop sign enforcement if that was/is the primary reason for the installation of the speed humps on a main access road. No person or family should have to fear response times or take on extra expenses for damage to their vehicle(s).
Thank you for your time,
Concerned Homeowners and Surrounding Neighbors
Heath and Laura Harris
Trey and Sandy Manning
Bubba and Doni Mills
Jeff and Christina Smith
Chris and Audra Lewis
Chris and LexAnn Bursi
David and Susanne Smith
Brandon and Destin Westmoreland
Dewayne Ross
