W. Seattle Scary Streets – A Concerned Commoner

[concernedcommoner]

We have become a complacent city, waiting for the worst to happen before taking action. What has happened to proactiveness and innovation regarding our growing population and lack of proper infrastructure to handle it?

I’m referring to streets that are still too unfriendly to bikers and pedestrians alike. The new Delridge? It’s another speeder’s haven, with plenty of ways to bypass those they feel are slow (even when those people are just following the limits set). I see it every single day walking my pup, people going 45+ in the bus lane to pass, people riding up on others, coming within inches, and distracted drivers on their cell phones cruising, unaware. What’s the point of setting a speed limit of 25 and having distracted driving laws if the police, buses and other vehicles are all allowed to go unchecked with their reckless behavior?

It’s not just Delridge, it’s within our neighborhoods, near our parks and schools. Every single day I walk the area (or even when I drive it), I’m faced with having to dodge these unsafe drivers and it’s now at a point that I call the police instantly to report. This past summer, I reached out to the city because the Delridge Playfield area, on all sides, have these reckless drivers blowing through intersections/stop signs/crosswalks, jumping over the “speed bumps” (if you’d call them that) and Genessee has numerous cars coming down the hill well over 40MPH with very few recognizing that there’s a park and crosswalks (even though there’s clear signage). The city’s response? “No mitigation is needed in this area, all work has been completed.” Not even a week after that, I witnessed a pedestrian get hit at the corner of Genessee and Delridge. Reached back out to the city with this info and was never given a response.

I do understand that the police have a lot on their plates and can’t catch every single person, but I have yet to see anyone pulled over in the 3-mile radius I walk. Instead, I see complacency, especially when I witness police cars going just as fast through these areas. The most recent biker to get killed by a hit-and-run driver is yet another instance that has encouraged me to speak up because it could be me, my dog, a friend or a neighbor who is the next victim in this vicious recurrence.

It is beyond frustrating to walk these streets and feel scared that I have a very real chance of being taken out by one of these reckless drivers. Just today and the second time this week, a person going well over 40MPH approached an intersection myself and my pup were already in, and nearly hit us. Their response was to flip me off and attempt to speed away. Unaware that I had gotten their plate and then saw that they went around the block again, I immediately called 911 with the description and plate #. While on the phone, she decided to confront me and ironically made it clear she wasn’t paying attention and did not see us in the intersection (obviously, as she nearly hit us and a car that was also joining the roundabout). She attempted to pit blame on me, for walking too fast in the crosswalk. WHAT? Have to roll my eyes to that.

The reason I am on here is because I am a truly concerned commoner, who loves this city and doesn’t want to keep seeing stories of complacency, usually headlined with the death of a fellow citizen who should be able to safely walk/bike our streets/neighborhoods.

What needs to change first is simple, consistent patrols AND accountability being shown to the public by pulling them over and citing them. Post the numbers of people pulled over for speeding at an intersection, skipping a stop sign or not stopping for a pedestrian/biker. Show that this behavior is not ok.

Next is a change in how we design streets. Why do we say we’re changing something to the benefit of peds/bikers, when streets like Delridge, Flauntleroy and others are insanely unsafe, even with the changes they’ve made. Speed cameras are an expensive option but one that could generate not only a revenue stream but more importantly, accountability to those breaking the laws of the road in areas the police cannot constantly be at. The speed bumps installed should actually slow people down to the recommended speed, rather than just providing a minor obstacle that usually does nothing to slow them down. Crosswalks on these major arterials should have crossing lights to allow people to notify drivers to stop (I NEVER cross Delridge unless I’m at a protected light because it is rare that anyone is going slow enough to stop for those waiting to cross).

Lastly, is education. Consistently provide info to residents so they know the rules, clearly and can be held accountable easily if they break those rules. Require that everyone pass a written test every 3 years and if they don’t, then they now must partake in a class. Make it difficult for those with multiple instances of reckless behavior to have or maintain a license.

We can’t continue complacency when it comes to people being able to live in safe environments without the dangers of those behind the wheel of vehicles. Being a proactive city means cutting back on deaths/injuries amongst pedestrians and bikers, and some of these ideas are ways to change that.

If you are not a biker/pedestrian, understand that you are behind something that is 100% controlled by YOU. Those walking or biking should absolutely be equally aware of their surroundings but know that your vehicle is capable of hurting/killing someone, not the other way around. The best thing each of us can do is tell our friends and family to slow down, speeding is not going to get them anywhere that much quicker statistically and IF something bad were to happen due to the reckless behavior, they’ve now just ruined someone else’s life and slowed themselves down even more.

We need to come together as not just West Seattle, but Seattle residents as a whole to find the better, more proactive approach to keeping everyone safe on our streets and within our neighborhoods.

Here’s to a safer 2024,

ConcernedCommoner

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[PDiddy]

I see your points but I like many hate the 25 speed limits. This would not happen if we had stuck to 35. All it did was create frustration and anger. And to be fair often pedestrians can be to blame too or bikes that blow through lights etc. I dont dismiss your concerns i too live by Delridge but it feels to me that all the blame is on drivers who are often very considerate and dont do what you describe. Take a fair look at all the parts in this equation. I do agree the streets are poorly designed but we need to be honest that some streets just cannot be fixed because of how they are laid out. I would like to see more emphasis on sidewalks with attached bike paths instead of trying to stick one on a busy street at the cost of all the parking. I am thinking more like in the Netherlands. Near me both 21st ave sw and 18th ave sw could accomodate sidewalks on both sides but in the case of 21st they put up barriers calling it a safe street which is stupid. It needs sidewalks. Dont even get me started on 23rd with mailboxes and recycle containers in the middle of the sidewalk…

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[Seriously?]

@PDiddy. Your first sentence proves the OP’s point. You don’t get to drive as fast as you want just because you don’t like the speed limit. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve nearly been hit by a careless driver. This includes crossing the street when I have the walk-sign. The fact is that drivers ignore the traffic AND parking laws they don’t like. I agree with OP, we need consistent and equal enforcement of traffic and parking laws and we need it immediately.

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[cheeseWS777]

So if they lowered the speed limit again to say 10 mph you would say that isnt ridiculous and expect everyone to keep to that even though we payed a ton of money for the privilege of driving to get us to our destination in a timely manner?
I do hate drivers on their cell phones being distracted tho,very unsafe. Whenever i see one while im driving i get so mad that i roll down my window and huck my beer can at them… Just kidding obviously

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[CarDriver]

I feel like a dinosaur. When dad taught me to drive he made a point to impress on me that paying attention when you’re behind the wheel isn’t optional. I see bad driving every time I’m out. Cell phone use is rampant. Turn signals seem like they’ve become optional. Speeding well over the posted limit is commonplace. Who’s doing this? I see ALL races, ALL ages. Men and women. I see cars,trucks,vans,motorcycles,commercial trucks,Metro busses. All makes/models. Beaters to new. But I also see bike riders ignoring the law. I see pedestrians ignore do not walk signals. At least once a month can’t go when the light turns green because a pedestrian ignored the do not walk signal and was still in the crosswalk. What’s become commonplace is halo holding. One group of road users saying they’re perfect and the others are all bad and dangerous. The fix? Won’t happen. Too many people will say they’re not the problem, it’s those “others”. If you want to point fingers make sure your eyes are open and you’ll see fingers pointed at you.

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[jdw_0219]

Thank you for this. I really wish the drivers would comprehend how different it is to be behind a machine that can literally injure or kill in an instant and how that is not a fact that lies with those walking or biking. People bringing up the 25MPH saying it’s too slow, are just impatient and uneducated when it comes to why those speeds are set in the first place. Marginal way is a prime example. That road, yes, should be 40-45 but it’s not 25, it’s 35, yet people go 55-70 on that stretch (used to drive this daily and would see those speeds pop up on the speedometers before it blinks tos at “slow down”). No houses, schools or parks directly off the roadway (thank goodness) but still alarming. It is scary to me that people say they need more more more, while ignoring what they can do to help keep other humans and their families safe whether they’re also driving or out walking/biking. Sad for Seattle and society as a whole.

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[jdw_0219]

https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/bicycling-walking/walking-rolling-washington/pedestrian-laws-safety

Every single near miss I have encountered or witnessed has been at a legal crossing point. I would suggest anyone trying to turn this around on those walking/biking, study the laws. And anyone walking/biking also learn the laws to ensure protection. There’s absolutely give and take in this, but facts/statistics don’t lie. Knowing the rules and following them helps keep yourself and others safe. This site has a lot of great, easy to read info.

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[CarDriver]

I walk Alki Ave every morning. I do see lots of cars that I’m pretty sure are exceeding the posted speed limit. Considering the time of day 99% of those drivers are Alki residents that should have left for work or school or their appointment 5 minutes sooner. Which brings up an article I read a while back that the vast majority of speeders in a neighborhood are residents of that neighborhood. Another fun read was a Seattle Times article several years ago. Because of parents complaints about speeders in school zones before and after school SPD spent a week at various schools before and after school. Final tally: 75% of tickets were given to PARENTS coming to drop off their kids or coming to pick up their kids.

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[CarDriver]

Will add one bike rider rant. With the ambient noise of the city it’s impossible to hear bikes come up behind me (or others). The electric bikes are going at a good clip. Virtually NO riders call out “on your left (or right). A collision could be very bad. Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t it incumbent on the bike rider to make sure there’s no collision?

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[cheeseWS777]

Id like to point out also that there is a difference between drivers who go 5 mph over to go with the flow of traffic and get to their destination, and then there are the drivers who are putting the peddle to the floor recklessly swerving through traffic. I dont think most of the people complaining acknowledge this difference.
If i have to drive 25 all the way to where im going fine, but im goona do it in reverse then cus it is such a ridiculous snails pace.

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[miws]

https://www.ite.org/technical-resources/topics/speed-management-for-safety/speed-as-a-safety-problem/

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[CarDriver]

Speed limits have ALWAYS been arbitrary. Many were set using the 85% principle. Cars on a particular road would have their speeds recorded then they would tabulate the speed that 85% were going and that became the speed limit. @ 7 or 8 years ago there was a child hit in a crosswalk going to school in Auburn. He suffered quite a few injuries and was hospitalized (no follow-up so hopefully he’s fully recovered) Got quite a bit of tv coverage. Police pulled the womans computer information from the car. She was going 17mph in the posted 20mph school zone.

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[concernedcommoner]

@CarDriver, that is factually incorrect. While that may be a small factor taken into consideration, you have been provided numerous sources on how engineers and those implementing laws around speed, come to their conclusions. Arbitrary by definition is based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system. That is far from the case when it comes to setting laws of the roads. You continue to prove my point that education is such an important, if not THE most important piece to correcting what is a continuous problem for those on using the roadways.

Ignorance to proven facts does not make your argument true/factual on its own. Many factors get taken into account but even more-so, it all boils down to safety of those driving, walking, biking etc. How they coexist and what that coexistence looks like surrounding safety.

Study after study after study shows that the faster a vehicle is going has less time to react OR if they are in a collision, they are exponentially more likely to cause harm (depending on who is involved).

You brought up one case and guess what, the kid survived BECAUSE that person was going right around the speed they were supposed to be going in that area. It always cracks me up but is also disturbing when people use a small percentage of cases to prove a point that can be easily countered by the larger percentage reality. One statement above of going with the flow of traffic can be valid BUT also needs more scrutiny because if a majority of people are going 85 in a 25, should everyone be going 85? No. That is not logically sound. Going a little above or a little below is reasonable, but what concerns me are the vast number of people choosing to go well above the limit.

Seriously, go read the above sources of info, especially the one recently provided around how speed affects not only reaction time but also the extent of injury/death. The laws are clear and this city seems to have a lot of sentiment toward your belief that cars can do and should be able to whatever they want, because it’s arbitrary. Again, factually incorrect.

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[cheeseWS777]

Well… 25 over the lower bridge when theres no traffic… Creepin

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