Councilman proposes 'rumble strips' to combat street racing

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11 / CNS) - In an effort to combat the problem of illegal street racing, City Councilman Mitchell Englander on Tuesday proposed installing "rumble strips" on a street in the San Fernando Valley known as a hotbed for the activity.

The cost of the pilot program would be $14,000.

"Rumble strips" are similar to speed bumps, but are much more abrasive to vehicles engaged in street racing, according to Englander's motion.

The strips would be installed on Plummer Avenue between Canoga Avenue and Topanga Canyon Boulevard, which is often referred to as the "Canoga Speedway'' due to its popularity with street racers.

The area was the scene of a street racing crash which killed two spectators in February 2015. The driver, Karen Gary Balyn, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

"Families in Los Angeles neighborhoods deserve peace of mind in their own homes," Englander said.

"While the roar of car engines might be exciting in the 'Fast & Furious' movies, it can be a serious disturbance and downright dangerous when illegal racing occurs in neighborhoods and on streets not designed for such
activity,'' he said. "This pilot will explore the efficacy of 'rumble strips' which have the potential to be a cost-effective tool to stop illegal street racing in its tracks."

Copyright 2017 FOX 11 Los Angeles: Download our mobile app for breaking news alerts or to watch FOX 11 News | Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Be a citizen journalist for FOX 11 and get paid - download the Fresco News App today.