Drivers and residents divided over new speed bumps in Nasiriyah

DHI QAR, October 14 — Dozens of recently installed speed bumps on the streets of Nasiriyah have sparked widespread debate among locals, with drivers reporting damage to their vehicles and residents seeing them as necessary to slow traffic near schools.

The new speed bumps are concentrated in densely populated areas like Ashuhada, Arideu, and Alfidaa, particularly near schools.

Abu Osama, a driver, shared his frustration, saying, “I have more than one school transport route, and the speed bumps within neighborhoods delays my arrival at specified times. I am forced to leave early to ensure empty streets and that I reach my destination quickly before returning to transport another group of students.”

Mohammed Hameed, another driver, commented, “While it is known that speed bumps are placed in crowded areas, their number is excessive. I drive at a very low speed due to the presence of two or three speed bumps on a single street. It would be better for everyone if they were reduced to certain roads.”

On the other hand, Dhiya Taleb, a local resident, emphasized the neeed for speed bumps in all neighborhoods. He pointed out that most drivers tend to speed through narrow streets, causing fatal accidents involving children, women, and the elderly, especially in the densely populated neighborhoods of Nasiriyah.

Wissam Al-Husouna, Traffic Engineer at the Nasiriyah Municipality, explained, “In the first five months of this year, we managed to install 1,250 meters of speed bumps. Most of them are placed near uncontrolled intersections, schools, and accident-prone areas, in response to residents’ requests.”