Drivers who do not obey the speed limit within a homeowner association can be a deadly problem. Speed limits are designed to keep residents safe. Factors such as street location, street size and number of vehicles per day are all used to determine the safest speed vehicles should travel. The board has a duty to take reasonable measures to protect the residents. Here are some ways to address this issue.

1. Create a Traffic Safety Committee to research the speeding problem and provide solutions to reduce speeding.

2. Check with your city to find out if they have a speed awareness or speed reduction program.

3. Remind the members using your newsletter, website, bulletin boards and notices.

4. Place a speed radar unit on streets where there is a speeding concern. They display each passing driver's speed to remind them of the speeding issue. Some municipalities will provide this equipment free or for rent. You can purchase your own unit on the internet if you have an ongoing need and multiple locations to monitor. Some units come solar powered.

5. Use a radar tracking device. The Traffic Enforcement Committee can use a hand held radar unit and camera to monitor and record traffic speed and vehicle information. If they are residents or owners, send a letter informing them of the violation and request that they obey posted speed limits. If they are a non-owner, the information can be turned over to the police for further action or as evidence that more police speed monitoring is needed.

6. Make sure speed signs are posted and clearly visible. They can be purchased on the internet in a variety of sizes.

7. Use speed humps, traffic circles and traffic diverters. Your local municipality will have specifications and requirements for these speed reducers. You will need a permit to install them.

8. Contact HOA vendors who speed. Having the ability to cancel their contract for non-compliance is a heavy hammer.

9. If you have private streets and posted speed limits, fine repeat offender owners after written notice. If streets are public, ask the police to monitor areas of concern. If the won’t, use the radar option. It does work.

Speed demons in a homeowner association are an accident waiting to happen. Use these "pitchforks" to remind them that there will be hell to pay if they don’t change their evil ways.

For more innovative homeowner association management strategies, see Regenesis.net

Published: September 15, 2010

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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 .