Cary Traffic Calming Ordinance - Speed Bumps & Roundabouts
Cary, North Carolina residents often ask how speed bumps and roundabouts are regulated and installed. This guide explains the Town of Cary approach to traffic calming, describes typical criteria for speed humps and roundabouts, and shows how to request, appeal, or report issues. It draws on official Cary departmental guidance and identifies which offices handle design, evaluation, and enforcement so you can follow the correct administrative steps.
Overview of traffic calming in Cary
The Town evaluates traffic calming requests to reduce speeds, improve safety, and maintain emergency access. Common measures include speed humps or tables, curb extensions, and roundabout installations. Implementation follows engineering studies, neighborhood petitions, and coordination with emergency services and utility providers. For program criteria and petition details, consult the Town of Cary traffic calming pages Town of Cary Traffic Calming[1].
Typical measures and when each is used
- Speed humps or speed tables: used on local streets with documented speed or crash problems; routing and emergency vehicle access are evaluated.
- Roundabouts: considered at intersections with recurring safety or operational issues and where geometry and traffic volumes make a roundabout feasible.
- Curb extensions and islands: short-term or lower-cost traffic calming to narrow crossing distances and slow turning vehicles.
How the request and evaluation process works
Residents or neighborhood groups typically start by contacting Cary Transportation or using the Town's traffic request system. Staff perform speed and volume studies, assess collision history, and evaluate emergency response impacts. If a project proceeds, design, public notifications, and possible pilot installations follow. For contact information and the online request portal, see Cary Transportation contacts Cary Transportation[2].
Penalties & Enforcement
Traffic calming installations themselves are not penalties but regulatory controls; enforcement of speed limits and traffic laws on streets with calming devices is carried out by Cary Police and by citations under state and local traffic ordinances. Specific monetary fines for violations related to traffic calming features are not consistently listed on the Town traffic pages; where exact fine amounts are required, the cited code or police pages must be consulted.
- Enforcer: Cary Police Department handles speeding citations and roadway safety enforcement; Transportation staff manage installation and maintenance Cary Police[3].
- Fines: not specified on the cited page; consult the police citation schedules or municipal code for exact amounts.
- Escalation and repeat offences: not specified on the cited page; traffic citations typically follow state statute ranges and municipal procedures.
- Non-monetary sanctions: orders for removal or compliance, court appearances, or civil actions may apply where installation or alteration violates permit requirements; specifics are not specified on the cited page.
Applications & Forms
- Neighborhood petition or traffic calming request form: the Town posts application details and submission instructions on its traffic calming pages; if a named form number is required, it is not specified on the cited page.
- Fees: project design or construction fees vary by project; specific fee schedules are not specified on the cited page.
- Submission: contact Transportation or use the online service request portal as indicated on the Town pages.
Action steps
- Submit a traffic calming request or neighborhood petition to Cary Transportation following the instructions on the Town website Town of Cary Traffic Calming[1].
- Collect signed resident support or data as requested by the Town to meet petition thresholds.
- If cited for a traffic violation, follow the citation's appeal instructions or contact the court listed on the ticket.
FAQ
- How do I request a speed bump in Cary?
- Start by submitting a traffic calming request or petition to Cary Transportation; staff will evaluate speeds, volumes, and emergency access and then notify the neighborhood of findings. See the Town of Cary traffic calming page for the request process.
- Who enforces speed limits on streets with calming measures?
- The Cary Police Department enforces speed limits and issues citations; Transportation installs and maintains calming devices.
- How long does installation take?
- Timelines vary by study results, design needs, and budget; specific schedules are project-dependent and not specified on the cited page.
How-To
- Identify the problem location and collect data: note peak speeds, times, and safety concerns.
- Contact Cary Transportation to request an initial evaluation or obtain the neighborhood petition form.
- Gather resident signatures and any supplementary evidence requested by staff.
- Allow the Town to perform engineering studies; attend any public meetings or notifications.
- If approved, follow instructions for scheduling design, funding, and installation; pay applicable fees if listed by the Town.
- After installation, report maintenance or safety concerns to Transportation or Police as appropriate.
Key Takeaways
- Traffic calming in Cary follows engineering studies and neighborhood input, not ad-hoc installations.
- Start your request with Cary Transportation and coordinate with Cary Police on enforcement issues.
Help and Support / Resources
- Town of Cary - Transportation Department
- Town of Cary - Police Department
- Town of Cary - Service Requests