Most of us drive every day; to and from work, to the grocery store, or to visit friends and family on the weekends. We need cars. But when some folks get behind the wheel, their anxiety reaches an all-time high, and they become frustrated and exasperated. To resolve the tension, traffic calming techniques, and even a few traffic calming measures, can put everyone at ease.
First off, what does traffic calming mean? A fantastic question that is likely on everyone’s mind, so let us define traffic calming. Traffic calming, or street calming techniques, as they are sometimes called, refer to the various methods and products available to help keep drivers safe on the road. Instead of picking up speed in, say, your business’s parking lot, traffic calming products such as a speed bump or a radar speed sign would caution drivers to reduce speed and drive more carefully.
Traffic calming solutions remain one of the best ways to reduce traffic accidents. With so many accidents taking place each day, finding solutions to cut down on fatalities and severe injuries is of the utmost importance to everyone who uses the roads.
When and Where is Traffic Calming Used?
If you need a few traffic calming examples, such as when and where traffic calming solutions are most useful, consider your daily surroundings. Where do you most often see traffic calming products such as radar speed signs and other posted warning signs? The most common areas for traffic calming solutions include:
- Parking lots
- School zones
- Residential neighborhoods
- Construction zones
- Government buildings
Of course, there are many more. Countless businesses, organizations, local and state governments; all invest in traffic calming techniques to help reduce vehicular accidents.
In such areas, everyone asks themselves, ‘does traffic calming truly work?’ Yes. Yes, it does. A slow-moving vehicle can easily stop in time, should school children run across the road or if a pedestrian steps off the curb in front of their favorite local business.
A report conducted on the effectiveness of speed warning signs, performed by the
Western Transportation Institute, reported success with traffic calming devices. Their results indicated that, in every test, average speeds reduced greatly with a speed sign in place. The drop in speed resulted in fewer accidents, less aggravated drivers, and better traffic flow overall.
The Importance of Traffic Calming/Does Traffic Calming Work?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an independent organization dedicated to informing the public and reducing traffic collisions, we have a long way to go. Their statistics indicate that, in 2019, over 33,000 fatal motor vehicle accidents occurred in the United States.
California, Florida, and Texas saw the most fatal accidents annually. These three states endured around 3,000 apiece, as of 2019. Of course, these are larger states, with more people, and it makes sense to see more accidents occurring.
The thing is traffic accidents can be avoided. With the proper traffic calming best practices, like signage and modular rubber products, drivers will remain more alert, less frantic, and safer on roads across the country.
Unfortunately, too few companies and districts invest in proper traffic calming devices. Sure, the construction companies in the area have their own equipment, as they should. But what about a school district? What about quiet residential neighborhoods where children play every evening? These areas require traffic calming solutions and techniques to cut down on any risk to pedestrians and other drivers alike.
Traffic Calming Solutions and Techniques
What traffic calming options are available to us on a daily basis? Quite a few, as it were!
- Traffic calming devices, including radar speed signs or school zone safety signs, can help warn drivers that they need to reduce their speed.
- Installing speed bumps provides a physical warning to drivers that they are driving too fast and need to slow down.
- Speed tables made of recycled rubber help drivers reduce their speed slightly but not as drastically as the usual speed bumps.
Whether you are a business owner, on the school board, or hoping to reduce speeds in your neighborhood, where drivers fly by with reckless abandon, traffic calming devices can help keep everyone on the road safe.
For quality traffic calming solutions and devices with a proven track record, contact Transline today! We offer a broad selection of devices and modular rubber products, including speed humps, radar speed signs, mobile patrol stands, speed cushions, and more. Everything you need to keep pedestrians, customers, and citizens safe!
