What is the difference between a speed hump and a speed bump? I like to think of a speed hump as a wider, gentler version of a speed bump, used to slow down traffic on residential streets. (There is a speed hump right in front of where I live. Actually, cars seem to speed up for it, or swerve to miss it, nearly hitting my truck. Tools inevitably crash out of work trucks, too.) A speed bump, on the other hand, is short and high, intended to bring traffic to a roll. These are normally found in parking lots. I am making this all up, so correct me if I’m wrong. The other day, I came across a “Speed Hump” sign on a public road, which I had never seen before. However, the white paint said “bump.” Frankly, the actual obstacle appeared to be a mix between the two. I continued on, disappointed and still confused.