Curbing Chaos: Kansas City's Crackdown on Dangerous Driving

The streets of Kansas City, Missouri, have become a battleground against a growing menace: illegal sideshow spin-outs and street racing. In response, the city's leaders have taken decisive action, implementing a series of measures to reclaim the roads and restore a sense of safety for residents and businesses alike.

Reclaiming the Roads: Kansas City's Fight Against Dangerous Driving

Rumble Strips: A Disruptive Solution

The Kansas City City Council has taken a proactive approach to addressing the issue of dangerous driving in the Crossroads Art District. Newly installed rumble strips at the intersection of Southwest Boulevard and Broadway Boulevard are the latest weapon in the city's arsenal. These disruptive road features are designed to make it impossible for vehicles to gain traction and perform the illegal maneuvers that have plagued the area.Councilman Crispin Rea, who represents the 4th district at large, explains the rationale behind this strategy. "It's a fairly effective and cheap strategy that makes it impossible for these vehicles to gain friction," he says. "I've heard that it will actually tear and deflate the tires." The goal is to create a physical barrier that discourages drivers from engaging in dangerous stunts, effectively shutting down the sideshow and street racing activities.

Pushing the Problem Elsewhere?

While the rumble strips have had some success in the Power and Light District, where they were first implemented, the solution may have had the unintended consequence of pushing the problem to other parts of the city. The Crossroads Art District, in particular, has become a new hotspot for these illegal activities.Bryan Arri, the owner of Fern Bar, which sits at the intersection of Broadway and Southwest Boulevard, has witnessed the impact firsthand. "One of the things we've noticed is the perception of the Crossroads has gone down a little bit over the last few years in terms of safety and crime that's been happening in the area," he says.Arri remains hopeful, however, that the installation of rumble strips in the Crossroads will have a similar effect as in the Power and Light District, driving away the sideshows and restoring a sense of safety and vibrancy to the neighborhood. "We're really excited to see that the city is investing in the Crossroads district and really making sure that we stay one of those districts that people really love coming to, especially with the holiday season coming up," he says.

A Citywide Approach

The city's efforts to combat dangerous driving are not limited to the Crossroads Art District. Kansas City, Missouri, plans to tackle more problem intersections with rumble strips in the coming weeks, expanding the reach of this disruptive solution.Councilman Rea emphasizes the importance of this citywide approach, stating, "It is a quality of life issue. It's a public safety issue, and we need to be responsive as a city government." By addressing the problem across multiple neighborhoods, the city aims to send a clear message that reckless driving will not be tolerated, and to create a safer environment for all residents and visitors.The implementation of rumble strips is just the beginning of Kansas City's efforts to reclaim its streets. As the city continues to explore additional strategies and solutions, the battle against dangerous driving remains a top priority, with the ultimate goal of restoring a sense of order and security to the community.