Have Speed Humps Reduced Car Accidents in Cincinnati

Have Speed Humps, Speed Bumps, and Speed Cushions Reduced Car Accidents in Cincinnati?

First, what is a speed cushion, and a speed hump? WCPO has a good video explainer on the different between a speed cushion, and a speed hump and how fast you should travel over both.

What is a Speed Cushion?

Speed Cushion: These are the elongated raised street that only take up a portiion of the street, They do not go all the way across the street. This allows for you to travel over it at the posted speed limit sign next to the speed cushion. That means typically you can go over Speed Cushions at 30 MPH.

That means typically you can go over Speed Cushions at 30 MPH.

So often, as we Ohioans get used to the speed cushions, people slow down to 5 miles an hour to go over these cushions, when technically they do not have to. You can go over them at the posted speed limit next to the cushion. Yes, it feels like a lot of movement, but they are designed to go over at the posted speed limit.

What is a Speed Hump?

Speed Hump: is a raised portion of the street that extends all the way across the street.

Have Speed Humps, Speed Bumps, and Speed Cushions Reduced Car Accidents in Cincinnati?

We asked ChatGPT if speed cushions in Cincinnati have actually reduced car accidents in Cincinnati. This is the answer we recieved:

The Answer is Yes

Yes, the installation of speed humps and cushions in Cincinnati has contributed to a reduction in car accidents in certain areas. For instance, after the city installed rubber speed cushions on Winneste Avenue, the percentage of vehicles exceeding the speed limit dropped from 95% to 11%, and the average speed decreased from 37 mph to 20 mph. This significant reduction in speeding likely contributed to fewer accidents in that area.

Additionally, in areas where speed humps have been installed, such as certain roads in Cincinnati, there have been reports of decreased traffic incidents. Before the installation of speed humps, one person was injured in an auto collision every two years on these roads. Since their installation, no injuries have been reported, indicating a positive impact on road safety.

These measures are part of Cincinnati's broader "Vision Zero" initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries through traffic-calming projects across multiple neighborhoods. (We have the link to the website but

While comprehensive city-wide accident data post-installation is not yet available, these localized reports suggest that speed humps and cushions have been effective in reducing speeding and related accidents in specific areas of Cincinnati.