Have your say

We're seeking feedback on our draft Speed Management Plan 2026–36. The plan proposes changes to speed limits and safety improvements for local roads in Kāpiti from 2027–30 and beyond. Have your say by midnight, Tuesday 15 September.

Speed humps: not just a bump in the road 

Speed humps are one of the tools councils can use to encourage safer speeds on local roads. They are a form of traffic calming, which means they are designed to help drivers travel at a speed that better suits the road environment. In the right place, speed humps can support safer, calmer and more people-friendly roads for everyone, including people walking, cycling, driving, using mobility devices, catching the bus or travelling with children. 

A speed hump is a raised section built into the road surface. As vehicles pass over it, drivers are encouraged to slow down, especially in areas where people and vehicles share the space. 

Why speed matters 

Even small reductions in speed can make a big difference. Lower speeds give drivers more time to notice what is happening around them and respond safely to people crossing the road, children near schools, older residents, cyclists, pets, parked cars and vehicles entering or leaving driveways. 

Speed humps are not about stopping people from using local roads. They are about encouraging safer, more appropriate speeds in places where extra care is needed. 

Did you know? 

Speed humps and speed bumps are not quite the same thing. 

Speed humps

Speed Hump
Speed humps are usually longer and gentler. They are commonly used on local or lower-speed roads to slow vehicles without creating a sharp jolt. 

Speed bumps

Speed Bump
Speed bumps are shorter and more abrupt. They are often used in very low-speed places such as car parks, private accessways or service areas.

Where speed humps may be used 

Speed humps are usually considered where slower vehicle speeds can support community safety and comfort. 

This may include: 

  • streets near schools
  • areas around parks, reserves and recreation facilities
  • local residential streets where vehicle speeds are a concern
  • places where people are often walking, biking, scooting or crossing the road
  • areas identified through Council’s speed management planning work. 

Benefits for the community 

When used in the right place, speed humps can provide several benefits. 

They can help reduce vehicle speeds, which may lower the likelihood and severity of crashes. They also help signal that a street is a shared space, used by pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.  

In areas near schools, parks and recreation facilities, speed humps can remind drivers to take extra care, especially where children, families and other vulnerable road users are more likely to be present. 

Unlike signs alone, speed humps are physical reminders. Drivers feel them, which can make them effective in encouraging slower, more careful driving. 

Things Council needs to consider 

Speed humps can be effective, but they are not suitable for every road.

Before making a decision, Council needs to consider the potential benefits as well as possible impacts, these may include:

  • increased vehicle noise
  • effects on buses, emergency services and heavy vehicles
  • longer travel times possible inconvenience for nearby residents
  • and the chance that some drivers may choose alternative routes. 

Because of these trade-offs, each request needs to be carefully assessed. 

For Council, requests for speed humps are considered against the priorities in the Speed Management Plan 2026-36, including school zones and recreational zones. 

Where speed humps may not be suitable 

Speed humps are generally not appropriate on busy urban roads, unless they are outside a school, or on rural roads. They may also be unsuitable where a road is used frequently by heavy vehicles, buses or emergency services, or where the design could create new safety concerns. 

The right traffic-calming solution depends on the road, who uses it, surrounding land use, traffic volumes, the speed environment and safety priorities. 

How requests are considered 

Council receives requests for speed humps from time to time, often because of concerns about speeding or safety on a particular street. 

These requests are considered alongside Council’s wider transport priorities, safety information, available funding and planned work. 

Where a proposal aligns with the Speed Management Plan, Council’s draft process includes consultation with affected residents and key stakeholders. If the proposal is supported and prioritised, it may be considered for inclusion in the relevant Speed Management Plan programme, subject to funding and relative priority. 

Further engagement may also take place during the design phase. A proposal may proceed, be modified or be withdrawn. 

Part of a safer system 

Speed humps are just one part of a wider approach to safer streets. They work best when used in the right place, for the right reason, and alongside other measures such as safe speeds, good road design, clear signs, safe crossing points and community awareness. 

By helping drivers slow down where it matters most, speed humps can support safer, calmer and more welcoming local streets for everyone.