Question by MEP Josu Juaristi Abaunz (GUE/NGL)

As a result of a bad personal experience involving speed bumps and the Spanish Government’s failure to investigate, Mr M Lafragua decided to conduct a study into how speed bumps affect emergency medical transportation.

The (attached) study concludes that speed bumps cause serious harm in emergencies. In medical emergencies, speed bumps can put patients’ lives at risk, depending on their illness, as they interfere with the care from health-care professionals. What is more, emergency vehicles, which are heavy and normally long, can easily get stuck on the speed bumps, particularly when they have to travel at the high speeds that speed bumps greatly restrict. Consequently, it is sometimes impossible to go over them at speeds of more than 5-10 km/h. Likewise, they can have irreversible consequences for patients, as one of the serious problems when a patient has a polytrauma is the type of driving, which must be at a continuous pace. On top of all that, it should not be forgotten that time is of the essence in emergencies, as just one minute can be enough to save a life.

1. Has the Commission conducted any studies into the possible impact of speed bumps on emergency vehicles?
2. Is it aware that speed bumps can have adverse effects on people being transported in emergency vehicles?
3. If so, what steps will it take to tackle this situation?

Answer given by Ms Bulc on behalf of the Commission (5.02.2018)

The Commission has not conducted any studies on the impacts of speed bumps on emergency services.

The Commission acknowledges that speed bumps, if incorrectly designed, might have adverse effects for emergency vehicles, in particular on ambulances transporting patients.

There is no EU legislation to regulate the characteristics of speed bumps and it is up to the competent authorities in Member States to define the requirements they have to comply with, in particular concerning their safety for all road users, and finding a balance between safety benefits and the possible drawbacks resulting from their use.