Here he comes again! That kid's gonna kill someone if he doesn't slow down! Traffic speed is something many HOAs grapple with. Since HOA streets tend to be narrower and traffic more compact, normal street speed is often way too fast.

Some HOAs have resorted to traffic committees or rent-a-cops who lay speeding tickets on offenders. But this clearly only works on residents. Guests and those just passing through merrily shred the tickets.

Other HOAs install axle jolting speed bumps that infuriate everyone, guilty and innocent alike, and create a real safety hazard for bicycle and motorcycle riders.

Posting "SLOW DOWN" signs has some positive effect. Still others post Burma Shave style signs (On Our Streets ... Please Drive Slow ... And Let Our ... Little Shavers Grow). But, the speeders continue to speed.

Some municipalities have hit upon an effective way of slowing traffic down without the bone jarring effects of traditional speed bumps and the labor intensity of traffic patrols. Cities like Portland, Oregon have enacted "traffic calming zones" which use several passive, yet effective techniques. One is the traffic circle (a.k.a. "roundabout" in England). Essentially, a circular concrete island is constructed in the intersection which forces traffic to slow to get around it. The island can include an attractive planting area although strategically placed boulders help ensure that the SUVs don't roll over it.

Another calming device is a special speed bump that looks like it's on steroids. Instead of a one foot blip, the speed hump spans the width of the street and extends from 14 to 22 feet deep. The 14 foot variety moderates traffic to 25 MPH while the 22 footer moderates speed to 30 MPH. These monstrous bumps are usually placed in a series several hundred feet apart to ensure that traffic remains moderated throughout the neighborhood. The cost of each modified bump is $1000-1500.

One important consideration to calming traffic is emergency vehicle access. Fire response and ambulances need to get where they're going quickly and seconds of delay can literally make the difference between life and death. Whatever traffic calming solution your HOA may be considering should cleared by emergency response authorities.

Another extremely important consideration is the impact of traffic calming devices on your residents. Many devices have the effect of locking residents in. In effect, by trying to slow down a few speeders, a gauntlet must be run by every resident that wants to come and go. Before any of these speed control techniques are implemented, be sure to discuss them with the residents and make sure you have majority approval. Otherwise, you are likely to create a firestorm.

Vroom ... vroom ... screeeeech! Speed and vehicles seem to go together. If your HOA is experiencing ongoing speeding and traffic safety problems, maybe it's time to consider some of these alternatives.

Published: December 3, 2003

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Richard Thompson owns Regenesis, a management consulting company that specializes in condominium and homeowner associations. He is a nationally recognized expert on HOA management issues. Regenesis publishes The Regenesis Report, a monthly newsletter for HOA boards, developers and managers. To subscribe, go to Regenesis.net. He can be contacted by email at .