Clark County has taken a tangible step in its effort to put the brakes on the escalating illegal street racing and stunt driving at the intersection of Lamb Blvd. and Hacienda Ave. in Southeast Las Vegas. In a bid to improve neighborhood safety, Public Works crews performed road work yesterday, which involved cutting out sections of asphalt to inhibit drifting and incorporating speed cushions to deter speeding in each direction on Lamb, north of Hacienda, according to FOX5 Vegas.
The push for these measures originated from residents' concerns over reckless driving, which has been a notorious issue in the area. Steven Vadan, a four-year local, shared with FOX5 Vegas, "It's literally every single day, all hours of the day and night," while detailing the damage to neighborhood walls from car mishaps. In one instance, he noted, "This wall discoloration is where someone had lost control and went through my neighbors wall." With the neighborhood bearing physical reminders of these illicit activities, including shots fired at homes, residents like Vadan are welcoming the changes with optimism, echoed by Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson, who remarked, "We’re told the speed racers will not want to do damage to their tires or to their cars, these are things that get in the way of high speeds," and acknowledged the possibility of adopting similar solutions in other problem areas of the valley, depending on the effectiveness of the current strategy.
Moreover, feelings of elation were shared by residents as Ben Alameda described the road alterations as "a Christmas gift for the neighborhood," a sentiment captured in a report by News 3 LV. The county's proactive response came after years of complaints and recent heightened media coverage and included a community meeting on December 4, where Gibson discussed addressing the problem that could involve extending the solution to other neighborhoods. "Our hope is that we're doing the things that will work here," he said, suggesting a potential model for similar traffic-calming measures across other regions.
The effectiveness of the new speed cushions and roadway changes will be monitored, with data on their impact made available to the public. The community is waiting to see if these changes will lead to quieter, safer nights this holiday season. According to LVMPD, over 160 arrests and more than 140 citations for reckless driving have been made this year. Police say the speed and quick movements of racers make enforcement difficult, as they often flee before officers can respond. These steps are the county's latest effort to improve safety and calm the streets.
