Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
The streets of Chatsworth just got a little louder.
Drivers in this northern San Fernando Valley neighborhood traveling on Plummer Street, between Canoga Avenue and Topanga Canyon, are now being greeted by a very loud sound. Sort of sounds like a...bap-bap-bap-bap-bap.
That's the sound tires make as they hit the so-called 'Rumble Strips.' They're the city's latest effort to deter street racers.
Mitch Englander is the councilman for the area, and he spoke to A Martinez to explain how these strips work.
The rumble strips were implemented after decades of street racing had coined the term, 'Canoga Speedway.' Two years ago, a deadly crash claimed the life of two people and injured another. It was the final straw needed to take action:
“We needed to come up with something besides just more enforcement. We had a special task force that was put together by the Los Angeles Police Department but these racers have gotten very sophisticated.”
And it seems the strips have already been effective. Traffic has slowed down in the area by 10 percent:
"We've seen already a great success. They have this little vibration, as well as a sound when you go over them. Not loud enough where it would impede or create a nuisance to the neighbors."
To hear how the strips work, what they're made of and more, click the blue play button above.