Philadelphia Speed Bumps Fail to Meet Safety Standards

Report finds most school-area speed cushions are improperly installed and pose risks to drivers

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A new report from the Philadelphia City Controller's office has found major issues with speed cushions, or speed bumps, installed around schools in the city. The report states that 99% of the 140 speed cushions examined did not match the design specifications, with many being built too high or too steep, potentially causing damage to vehicles and creating dangerous driving conditions as drivers swerve to avoid them.

Why it matters

Properly installed speed bumps and cushions are an important traffic calming measure near schools to improve pedestrian safety, but the report indicates these installations are failing to meet safety standards and may be creating new hazards for drivers. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the city's efforts to slow traffic in school zones and protect vulnerable road users.

The details

The report found that 95% of the speed cushions measured were built at a grade above the 10% maximum allowable, with some being twice as steep. This means drivers approaching at normal speeds could experience a sudden and jarring impact, potentially causing damage to their vehicles. The report cited the case of a Toyota Prius driver who reported scraping the underside of his car on a speed cushion while driving at just 12 mph.

  • The report from the Philadelphia City Controller's office was released on February 14, 2026.

The players

Christy Brady

The Philadelphia City Controller who oversaw the report on the improperly installed speed cushions.

Bruce Williams

A Toyota Prius driver who reported damage to his vehicle after hitting an improperly installed speed cushion in front of Henry Lawton Elementary School.

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What they’re saying

“We looked at 140 speed cushions, and of that amount, only two were installed properly.”

— Christy Brady, Philadelphia City Controller (whyy.org)

“I'm probably doing about 12 miles an hour and I still bumped my skirt on the car.”

— Bruce Williams (6abc)

What’s next

The Philadelphia City Controller's office has indicated they will work with the city's transportation department to inspect all school-area speed cushions and ensure they are properly installed to meet safety standards.

The takeaway

This report highlights the importance of proper installation and maintenance of traffic calming measures like speed bumps near schools to protect both pedestrians and drivers. It also raises questions about the oversight and quality control processes the city uses for these types of infrastructure projects.