Article on new speed bumps

I found this article in the Guad Reporter about the new speed bumps in Chapala by Soriana's:

Chapala speed bumps bring traffic to screeching halt
Friday, November 12 2010 17:33 Dale Hoyt Palfrey

Unwary motorists barreling down the highway toward the center of Chapala find themselves suddenly slamming on the brakes as they catch sight of a continuous string of 18 – yes 18 – new speed bumps (topes) that appeared out of the blue late last week. Drivers speeding into downtown Chapala have to navigate a brand new carpet of speed bumps installed in the vicinity of the Soriana supermarket.
The jaw-jarring carpet of black- and-white striped topes was constructed in the south-bound lane stretching 500 meters between the pedestrian bridge and a new stoplight installed opposite Avenida Pepe Guizar, in the vicinity of the Soriana supermarket.

The topes are part of a larger blueprint to protect pedestrians by slowing down vehicles entering the city at excessive speeds, Mayor Jesus Cabrera said at a press conference Wednesday.

“The sole intention is to save lives,” he surmised.

The plan was drawn up by state highway planners in response to a petition presented by more than 300 local citizens.

According to Chapala Traffic Commandant Jose de Jesus Rodriguez, at least six pedestrians have died along that section of the roadway over the past two years.

“The number of topes assures that drivers reduce their speed to zero by the time they get to the stoplight,” he remarked.

Rodriguez said four warning signs have already been placed on the approach to the topes, with extra speed limit markers and a large overhead sign on order. Stoplights at the Pepe Guizar intersection will be fully activated next week.

Additional chain-link fencing will be installed along the mid-road concrete barriers to induce pedestrians toward the safer passage via the bridge and painted crosswalks.

Portable orange cones are being employed at several critical downtown intersections where pedestrians have frequently been mowed down by drivers speeding across the main avenue.

At least three collisions have already occurred in the area of the speed bumps. Nine people were injured, with four reported in critical condition, when a small sedan plowed into the rear end of tourist bus that braked for the topes at midday November 6. Traffic officers found evidence that the automobile driver and his passengers has been consuming alcohol.

Haven't been that way to see.

Speed Bumps save lives! Really.

From what I've seen many people speed up to fly over the speed bumps, so the car's suspension won't feel it as much. Further, the speed bumps probably won't last more than a month as the heavy trucks tear them from the asphalt. Isn't that what happened on the Carretera in Ajijic.

I don't mind speed bumps at all if I know where they are or if they're marked.

The ones on the carreterra were pried out by disgruntled moto riders. Lizzy

bobnliz wrote:The ones on the carreterra were pried out by disgruntled moto riders. Lizzy

I believe the heavy trucks tore them out.