Tom (not his real name) has been happily living on the same street for years. Some time ago, the municipality placed a new speed bump near his home. Shortly after, Tom notices that his house feels different. When traffic passes by, it starts to vibrate, sometimes lightly and sometimes clearly. His bed moves. The couch too. It causes a lot of unrest.
Report after report
Tom contacts the municipality. He makes several reports about the vibrations in his house. He waits for a response, but it takes a long time. Eventually, he receives an answer. The municipality writes that the speed bump functions well and is used in many places in the city. Other residents do not complain. If Tom wants to be sure, he must pay for an investigation himself.
No serious answer
For Tom, this does not feel like a serious answer. The vibrations were not caused by him and have a large impact on his living comfort. The glasses vibrate all day in the kitchen cabinet. He asks if someone wants to come and look. That does not happen and the report is closed.
Then it stays quiet
Tom contacts again. He explains again what is happening in his house. He receives an automatic response. A phone appointment is made, but it does not take place. Then it stays quiet.
Finally someone looks
Tom no longer has confidence that the municipality will do anything and contacts us. We ask the municipality to review the complaint again and to visit the site. The municipality comes by. At that moment it becomes clear what Tom has been trying to explain all along. His house is exactly in line with the speed bump. Traffic driving over it causes clear vibrations in the house. The municipality acknowledges this and comes up with a solution. The speed bump is replaced by another type. This helps and Tom can sit quietly on his couch again.
Sometimes one resident is enough
A complaint is usually not assessed from behind a desk. Sometimes the location of a house makes the difference. Sometimes only one resident feels it. That does not make the complaint any less valid.
Listening is also acting
I believe that governments only act properly when they not only respond but also want to understand. That starts with listening and often also looking. Experiencing what someone goes through. Acknowledging that a situation deviates from the average. For Tom, that means peace in the house. For me, it confirms that taking seriously sometimes starts with one simple step.
This column appeared in De Telegraaf on January 10, 2026. The person in the photo is not the person from the text.