I’m tempted to call a tope a speed bump. But that's like calling a tornado a strong summer breeze. A speed bump, taken at 40 mph, will gently bounce you - reminding you that you’re going a tad too fast. A tope encountered at the same speed could pop your tire, dent your rim, trash your muffler, bend your drive shaft, raze your suspension and wallop your skull against the roof of your car.

Traffic lights would be an alternative, but they're expensive and small towns along the highway can't afford them. Plus they're ineffective -- you can run a red light; you can’t run a tope.