Speed Humps Continue to Irk Laurel Drive Resident

Laurel Drive resident Mark Rodrick once again told the Springfield Township Committee at its last meeting that he wants a recently-installed speed hump removed from in front of his home.

Rodrick, who has spoken at previous meetings to question why other measures, such as speed limit signs, were not considered prior to installation, told the committee that the Princeton Police Department traffic safety officer and town traffic and transportation committee recently recommended to the Princeton Council that it adopt a policy to not add any more speed bumps or humps to town roads.

Public safety, water issues, and road maintenance were among the reasons cited, said Rodrick, who added that speed humps reduce the response time of emergency vehicles. The Laurel Drive resident also said because his home is in a flood zone, he pays $3,000 in flood insurance annually and he is concerned that the speed hump could cause additional flooding. Another negative environmental impact, he stated, is the continuous level of noise. Approximately 1,200 cars go up and down the street daily, Rodrick said, and now he hears them all morning and evening as they bottom out on the hump in front of his home. 

As for safety, Rodrick said the humps have created a "starting line and a finishing line," with drivers accelerating as they pass the park. 

Township Administrator Anthony Cancro said he is not recommending the removal of speed humps as the majority of residents surveyed said they were in favor of their installation. Cancro reminded Rodrick that work was stopped at his request in August to poll residents, who ultimately wanted them placed on the street.