What damage occurs if I straddle speed humps?

I cannot convince my partner that it is correct to drive over speed cushions with one wheel between and the other over the top of the hump. She insists that it is better to straddle the humps for a more comfortable ride. Please detail the potential damage that occurs by straddling.

Asked on 16 June 2012 by PT, Sheffield

Answered by Honest John

What straddling does is rip the inner shoulders of the tyres to bits on the chamfered edges of the ‘speed cushion’, potentially leading to a blowout at high speed and death. One wheel over, one wheel on the flat is kinder to the tyres but not as kind to the springs.

Tags: speed humps driving techniques

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