Speed bumps installed to stop sideshows in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Velocity bumps and plastic dots are being put in to curb sideshows at a number of neighborhood intersections in San Francisco.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Company has seven pilot places the place varied methods are getting used to forestall stunt driving, donuts and rushing.

On the intersection of Plymouth Avenue and Sadowa Avenue within the metropolis’s Oceanview neighborhood, newly put in yellow and black striped bumps make it tough for vehicles to skid in circles.

The intersection is only a couple blocks from interstate 280, and a scorching spot for stunt drivers – till now.

“I’ve seen two folks come and attempt to do it nonetheless however no approach,” stated resident Jeanne-Renee McKneely. “Except they need to flip.”

Metropolis leaders stated because the pandemic started, sideshows have elevated in frequency sparking the necessity for methods to battle intersection takeovers.

Simply final weekend, there have been a number of reported stunt-driving incidents, together with one the place an individual was struck by a automotive within the South Seashore neighborhood.

San Francisco Police Division is investigating the incidents. No arrests have been made.

“Apart from creating security drawback, it additionally creates vital upkeep prices for us,” stated SFMTA Govt Director Jeffrey Tumlin. “Each time we’ve to go and restripe crosswalks in an intersection that prices us about $5,000. So what we’re making an attempt to do is use low-cost options that scale back exhibition driving conduct whereas enhancing security for everybody on the street.”

At Alemany Blvd. and Geneva Avenue, there’s a sample of X’s marked by botts dots, that are a substitute for velocity bumps to discourage donuts.

“They’re simply small bumps,” stated neighbor Joe Bylsma. “I don’t know in the event that they’re really going to work. I hope they do.”

SFMTA stated it doesn’t need to create hazards for folks strolling or biking. And it doesn’t need to trigger delays for emergency companies, which is why among the sideshow deterrents are barely noticeable, together with nook bump outs.

The prices for any of the intersection upgrades vary in price from $5,000 to $30,000, the company stated.

“It’s not low-cost nevertheless it’s cheaper than doing repeated repairs each single month,” Tumlin stated. “What we’re making an attempt to do is implement the only method that truly solves the issue.”

Primarily based on what sorts of bumps or pavement adjustments work greatest, SFMTA plans so as to add the extra of the units to different intersections.

San Francisco isn’t alone in these efforts.

A pilot venture in Oakland is focusing on 10 spots that police stated are an issue. Posts are popping up in centerlines and extra botts dots getting put in to forestall donuts at intersections infamous for sideshows.

That features forty second Ave. underneath I-880 often known as “the Pit” and the intersection of Excessive Avenue and MacArthur Ave.

Down in San Jose, 10 intersections are getting remedies to forestall reckless driving and unlawful road racing. It would embrace units like chatter bars and raised pavement markers, town stated.

Nonetheless, some don’t suppose these street adjustments will make an enormous distinction.

“This isn’t going to cease a sideshow,” stated Nicholes Lewis of San Francisco. “You want full police enforcement for that.”

Brooks Jarosz is an investigative reporter for KTVU. E mail him at brooks.jarosz@fox.com and comply with him on Fb and Twitter @BrooksKTVU