InVinoVeritas

Our new Maire (new broom) decided to install speed bumps in and around the village as he considers the 30kph limit is not being respected.

The first bump was installed last week but they didn't get round to erecting warnings sign until 2 days later nor did they paint it until 4 days later. Neither did they leave any cones or roadwork signs.

I drove over the thing without even seeing it (yes, probably at more than 30kph but actually even at 30kph it gives a helluva jolt) and as a result the missus and I still have back pain some 5 days later.

What would you do?

grannybunz

Speed "bumps" are an utter nightmare in these parts. They seem to sprout like mushrooms and I reckon I have permanent whiplash!

If you were not informed that they were being installed and when then I guess they are at fault but getting them to admit that might well be another matter.

A call to the Mairie and perhaps your local constabulary might be worth a few minutes of your time. The work was probably done by a contractor and the Marie may well not have been aware (or so they will say)

Funnily enought they were mentioned, not in an positive way, several times on the comentary for Le Tour during the last three weeks.

audio

The yanks would sue, why can't you?

bigglesworth

Around here the roads are so bad that speed bumps would be an improvement!

audio

EuroTrash

I would go slower next time
No but unfortunately it's going to be hard to get anywhere without scoring an own goal by admitting you were going too fast for the speed limit / road conditions. So frankly I can't see your insurers taking it up for you and surely you have better things to with your time.

I hate the things with a vengeance. However slowly I go over them in my motorhome, it's the bouncing rather than the jolt itself that is likely to send things flying out of cupboards.

Tweedpipe

I detest the things too.
Think I'll order up a pair of these 'specials'.

Chatter Static

They have gone speed bump mad round here and priority to the right, so at all the junctions they are/have put in massive speed bumps with silly signs. Gendarmes are having a field day with it.

audio

You have actually seen a Gendarme? They are as rare as rocking horse shite here.

Chatter Static

Our dd plays with the child of one so I see them a fair bit

InVinoVeritas

Just the gendarme couchant I mentioned

grannybunz

The roads round here were much worse than the speed bumps. I visited the doctor after one particular incident. He sympathised but laughed and said 2Join the club and keep taking the pills!"

cjm

Does a Maire have unilateral authority to order this highways infrastructure? Without regional approval, without voted for approval? Without consultation with gendarmerie? Approval as to siting? No physical drawing of size, materials, management by a clerk of works? No communication with residents in any way/form?

EuroTrash

Presumably the mairie in question has a highways department that looks after its roads, that's read the rule book and done what it should
I live in a small town rather than a village but when my commune and the surrounding ones started putting these abominations in, it was covered in the local papers and there was a piece in the commune magazine with the mayor explaining why they had decided to do it. It's not something they do on a whim, these things cost money after all, materials and man hours, the work has to be scheduled and come out of the highways budget. So no, I don't imagine the mayor wakes up one day and think 'I know, I'll get the blokes to put a new speed hump in today."

cjm

Here what you say ET, but IVV intimated this was a solo decision. Local gossip, news would travel pretty fast via bar, restaurants, baker et al. There would have to be written records, cost estimates, nominated contractor. Perhaps a 1-2-1 with the Mairie is the initial route.

These humps in France and UK never seem to follow a uniform mould, width, height, some are moulded plastic in garish yellow with a hint of black, others a variety of macadam mixes, some left to blend with road surface and catch you out (nightmare for sports cars), some hatched white and if you are lucky a sign!