Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
'Rumble Strips' Installed Along 'Canoga Speedway' To Combat Illegal Street Racing
The installed "rumble strips" along Plummer Street (Photo courtesy of Councilman Mitch Englander/Facebook)
A stretch of Plummer Street between Canoga Avenue and Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Canoga Park has been installed with a series of "rumble strips" to deter street racing on what has become known as the "Canoga Speedway".
On Wednesday morning, Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch Englander (who represents the area) as well as representatives from the LAPD and LADOT held a ceremony premiering the strips that were installed a week ago.
"Illegal street racing is dangerous and has resulted in the injury or death of both participants and bystanders," said Councilmember Englander, according to a press release. “These new ‘rumble strips’ have the potential to prevent such activity before it begins by making the road unsuitable for racing without impeding the regular flow of traffic. We are also sending a message that our neighborhood streets are not race tracks and that we will not tolerate the kind of reckless activity that puts people’s lives at risk.”
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, the half-mile section of Plummer saw two people killed and one seriously injured in February 2015, when an illegal street race between a Ford Mustang and Nissan GTR ended with one of the drivers, Karen Balyn, hitting spectators.
"Today we are sending a message that our streets are not racetracks," Englander said during Wednesday's event. “We are not going to tolerate this activity any longer.”
As the Associated Press notes, the strips were installed as part of a pilot program that was unanimously approved by the City Council in May to test the method's efficacy in stopping illegal street racing. Rumble strips act similarly to speed bumps, and cause disruptive vibrations and sounds to vehicles.
Note: an earlier version of this story misstated the effect of rumble strips on vehicles; they cause vibrations and noise but are not actually more destructive to vehicles than speed bumps.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
