MOTORISTS jolted and jarred by the ubiquitous road hump are hitting back. A driver compensated for a broken exhaust pipe could herald a flood of further claims.

The case adds to a mounting backlash against the so-called sleeping policemen, once dubbed "an invention of the devil" by the RAC. The first major victory against the humps was in September 1995 when residents in Twickenham, west London, forced their council to remove them. They complained their peace was shattered by the sound of bottle-laden lorries clanking over the traffic-calming humps.

Since then, taxi and bus drivers have attempted to sue local authorities for back injuries they claim are caused by passing over the ramps. The payout of £35 to Max Petersen in Haringey, north London, is believed to be the first of its kind. His Volkswagen Polo was damaged by one of 35 road humps the council has installed in streets around Archway Road, Highgate.

The Labour-run authority has admitted 27 are in breach of Department of Transport regulations but it has refused to accept liability for the damage to Mr Petersen's car. It says it paid the money because contesting the claim would have proved more expensive. It denies it sets a precedent for further payouts.

Brian Simpson, who launched the Campaign Against Road Hump Madness a year ago, said: "I was amazed by how steep the ramps are. They are so severe that when cars hit them at anything more than two or three miles per hour, they are subjected to a massive jolt that can break exhaust pipes, damage suspension and cause a lot of pain to people with spinal problems and arthritis."

He said a flood of residents were now considering claiming damages. Some had written to the local government ombudsman complaining the humps were unnecessary. George Hijifanis, an architect, has been unable to use his sports car since the humps were installed. "My exhaust was damaged badly and had to be changed. These humps should be opposed for the simple reason they do not work."

Paul Watters, head of roads and transport at the Automobile Association, said he was appalled that the humps breached regulations and encouraged motorists to take action. "We must not allow councils to introduce measures that are not prescribed in law. We get loads of complaints about road humps. One scheme was introduced in Hampshire where there had never been any accidents. But within weeks of humps being installed, there had been five or six."

Edmund King, head of campaigns at the RAC, added: "Road humps were seen as the panacea to all traffic problems in urban areas. But now we are starting to see the backlash."

Many councils put the humps down in the wrong places and to incorrect specifications, said Mr King. "We have encouraged people to go and check the height of the humps. For a while, it was common to hear of councils going out at night to slice off the tops because they were getting so many threats from motorists."

Residents in Haringey are now to be asked if they want the ramps modified or completely removed. "Everybody hates road humps, but they do work," said a spokesman. "We are warning residents that if the humps are removed traffic will increase. But they are the ones who will have to decide."