"Lying policemen": for benefit or for harm?

Following the United States and Europe, artificially created road irregularities, the so-called "recumbent policemen," also began to appear in our country. They put them on potentially dangerous sections of the road for forced speed reduction. True, unlike foreign countries, our methods of construction and local orders on the roads showed: not everything is so smooth. What problems did the drivers and authorities encounter after installation of artificial irregularities and how everything should be in accordance with the law?

What it is?

"Sleeping" or "lying policeman" is an artificial elevation on the roadway. Its direct purpose is to force drivers to slow down. Such structures are installed in potentially dangerous areas, for example, in sharp turns, near schools and playgrounds, at the entrance to supermarkets, etc.

Abroad, "policemen" are made of a thick layer of rubber (usually used tires on it) with a cast iron base. Such constructions are portable and mobile. In our country, it is usually a bunch of concrete piled across the road. The height and steepness of the embankment depend on the degree of potential danger of the site.

What problems did the installation of the standing policemen bring?

With the growth in the number of such structures, the number of customers in car repair shops has also started to grow. The masters added work: torn bottoms, damaged pendants, broken steering systems ... And all because often the authorities installed artificial irregularities unexpectedly for drivers, without even caring to put the appropriate road sign. On the lines of marking, too, speech did not go, and complete with a poorly illuminated section of the road all this logically led to the above problems.

All this continued until the entry into force of the state standard in 2008, which clearly spelled out the means for organizing artificial unevennesses and the requirements for their installation.

What is spelled out in the GOST?

• A "recumbent policeman" can be either a prefabricated structure or a monolithic one, that is, an elevation of the same material as the roadway itself.
• Its maximum height should be 7 cm.
• Artificial unevenness must be accompanied by the sign "Lying policeman", installed on both sides of the road.
• Plus, it should be accompanied by markings that the driver could see from afar.
• In those places where an artificial road unevenness is established (abbreviated as IDN), there should be organized drainage systems to prevent the formation of puddles and accidents during sudden braking.
• On one stretch of the road the maximum number of "lying policemen" is 5.
• It is forbidden to put them on federal highways, highways, bridges, in tunnels and near bus / trolley bus stops. This list also includes entrances to emergency services buildings, for example, ambulance stations, hospitals and fire stations.

Of course, so many tough positions are often not observed by anyone. After all, a certified and by all means established "guardian of order" will cost about 30 thousand rubles. Not every administration is ready to pay them out of the local budget.

How correctly to move through IDN?

When moving "lying policeman" many drivers make the same mistake: press the brake. Even slight braking in this case adversely affects the quality of the front suspension. Here is the correct algorithm of actions:

1. Start braking in advance when you see an obstacle on the road.
2. Slowly roll to the "policeman", and when the front wheels begin to run into him, lightly press the gas pedal.
3. After moving unevenness, add gas until the normal speed is reached.

If you follow these rules, the machine seems to "swallow" the unevenness on the road and will not get any damage. If you notice the "policeman" too late, you are allowed to brake sharply before him, but by no means on his own.

And if the damage could not be avoided?

What to do if your fault is not, but the car still got damaged after meeting with the "lying policeman"? First of all, do not hesitate to call the traffic police. Arriving employees are required to issue a protocol, as in any accident. In the course of the investigation they will find out the reason. For example, a "policeman" was installed illegally, in an unauthorized place or with non-observance of the rules. In this case, with the issued resolution, you can safely apply to the court and necessarily win the case.

How to check "policeman"?

Any "lying policeman" should be installed only with official permission. And they do not issue it to the traffic police, but to the local administration itself, under which a special commission operates. It accepts applications for the installation of irregularities and the appropriateness of speed limits in this section, making the appropriate decision. Therefore, any person has the right to apply there and request documentation for a specific IDN.

By the way, recently opened an interesting art-cafe called "Lying Policeman" in Pervouralsk. In addition to delicious cuisine and democratic prices, the institution boasts an original interior: traffic lights, road signs and quotes of famous people hang on the walls. However, because of the conflict with local law enforcement agencies, his activities had to be suspended. Law enforcers considered the name incorrect, as well as constantly visited with checks - not stolen road attributes directly from the tracks. Representatives of the cafes admitted that they could not even think about such problems when they chose the name for their institution. Therefore, the sign had to be slightly modified: today the cafe is called simply "Lezhachy".