Officials in Montgomery Township, Pennsylvania, are hoping squiggly lines on the road will help slow down speeding drivers. NBC10’s Deanna Durante has reactions from residents.
Drivers are doing a double take when they cruise down one road in Montgomery Township, Pennsylvania.
Officials within the township decided to paint squiggly solid yellow lines and single white lines --- also known as chicanes -- on Grays Lane in an effort to stop people from speeding.
"These traffic calming measures are being installed due to the numerous complaints/concerns we receive from residents about the "speedway" Grays Lane has become. It was discussed at length with our Traffic Engineers, Highway Safety Officers, and Public Works," officials posted on the Montogomery Township FaceBook page.
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In response to a few concerned comments, officials also wrote, "Yes, this is a legitimate precaution that has been put in place."
Officials shared that highway safety officers and traffic engineers had determined that it was the best course of action for the area to ensure the safety of the residents.
The unique road measure was approved by township officials during a February board meeting and went into effect on Friday, March 28, 2025. So far it's gotten mixed reactions from residents who live along Grays Lane.
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"This is just putting everybody really more at risk," Katie Staudt said. "And nobody was notified of anything so we didn't have any say."
Bob Lillow, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years, told NBC10 that speeding has been a problem for awhile on Grays Lane.
"Any given time it's kind of like the Indy Speedway," he said. "They put the speed sign up. If you're coming down the street it lights up. It tells you what your speed is and things like that. That seems to work for a little bit and then people get used to it and they just keep going back to doing what they're doing."
Lillow watched with NBC10 on Monday as cars traveled down the road. Some drivers slowed down, others drove straight through the lines and others carefully handled the curves.
"They're probably going to touch each one going down," Lillow said as he watched a car touch the lines. "He touched the tips going down so like you said, if you weren't here, he would've gone straight down the street and they painted that for nothing."
Township officials said the lines are only phase one of their project and more measures will be implemented as well as posts installed.
Zack Fullman is unsure if the chicanes will work but told NBC10 his kids are big fans.
"It's kind of weird but I don't know, they had fun driving up the road," Fullman said. "I don't know how effective or ineffective it'll be but at least it's given us something to talk about."
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