Fremont's New Street Racing And Sideshow Ordinance Now In Effect

FREMONT, CA — The city of Fremont's new Street Racing and Sideshow Ordinance to prohibit the promotion and attendance at the illegal events went into effect Thursday, Oct. 20.

Adopted by Fremont City Council Sept. 6, the Street Racing and Sideshow Ordinance is applicable on all city streets within city limits including those listed as "Designated Streets" by the city.

Designated Streets include Fremont Boulevard between Gateway Boulevard and the southern dead end of Fremont Boulevard, Bayside Parkway between Gateway Boulevard and Bayview Drive, Lakeview Boulevard between Gateway Boulevard and Fremont Boulevard, Milmont Drive between Paige Avenue and Kato Road and Stewart Avenue between Christi Road and Boyce Road.

Other Designated Streets mentioned in the ordinance include Boscell Road between Stewart Avenue and Auto Mall Parkway, Boyce Road between Stevenson Boulevard and Auto Mall Parkway, Dumbarton Circle between Kaiser Drive and Paseo Padre Parkway, Kaiser Drive between Ardenwood Boulevard and Paseo Padre Parkway, Campus Drive between Kaiser Drive and Dumbarton Circle and Nobel Drive from Auto Mall Parkway to the end of the street.

Council made the move to amend the municipal code due to the dangers street racing and the supporting activities present, Fremont Police Department said in a news release.

According to police, when participating in street racing, racers typically accelerate to high speeds "without regard to oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or vehicles parked or moving nearby."

"The races attract sideshows which in turn attract hundreds of spectators to gather on the streets late at night and in the early morning hours, blocking the streets and sidewalks to traffic to form a racetrack area or an area for stunts or reckless driving," police said. "The spectators provide protection to those drivers by blocking roadways, which prevents law enforcement from approaching or contacting the reckless drivers."

Fremont PD said that spectators provide a "significant motivation," as the crowd size and participation "encourage" drivers to engage in illegal street racing, which have been an ongoing concern for the health and safety of motorists, pedestrians and residents in the city.

"These activities have caused fatal collisions, property damage and traffic congestion, creating a public nuisance," Fremont PD said. "In addition, illegal speed contests, exhibitions of speed, and sideshows pose a clear danger to the residents of the city and the motoring public traveling on the roadways within the city."

The ordinance is expected to help, "significantly curb this criminal activity," Fremont PD said.

For questions regarding the adoption of this ordinance, email Captain John Harnett or call (510) 790-6705.