Seattle is loved by many but not because of stories like this one. Fast and Furious lovers would not like to know that a Seattle City Council committee is reviewing a plan that would designate certain streets as “restricted racing zones.” These are similar to drug free zones except they are racing free zones. Those living in the city and have children care more for safety than for famous movies.
This plan would be to “detect speed violations in walk areas, public park zones, hospital zones, and restricted racing zones.” Many racing events take over the entire street like a flash mobb and race. They may also do car stunts. Some of those stunts have caused serious injuries as cars slam into onlookers.
This racing proposal puts the city in line with a similar state law that was passed last year. It permits cities around the state to use automated enforcement cameras to cite racing violators in these specific restricted areas. The Council’s Transportation and Public Utilities Committee may prioritize the proposal and take it up for review in July.
The proposal would have to be taken up and approved by the City Council. After that, it will go active in a year or more after a budget that includes the proposal. It is based on a new technology that measures the level of noise racing cars produce, and in turn activates cameras to capture potential racing. A pilot program for this experimental tech began in December in the city of Kirkland, Washington.
In Seattle, six areas are being considered as restricted racing zones:
– Alki Avenue SW between 63rd Avenue SW -and Harbor Avenue SW
– Harbor Avenue SW between Alki Avenue SW and SW Spokane Street
– West Marginal Way SW between SW Spokane Street and Second Avenue SW
– Sand Point Way NE between 38th Avenue NE and NE 95th Street
– NE 65th Street between Sand Point Way NE and Magnuson Park
– Roadways inside Magnuson Park including, but not limited to, NE 65th Street and Lake Shore Drive NW
