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1. JayDee
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   I was just wondering if others from West Seattle have encountered the clueless drivers at the Costco exit on 4th Ave. Last weekend I was getting off to go to Costco and got in a long line of cars in the leftmost of three lanes, the one signed for "left turn only. The middle lane is signed for straight or right only, and the far right is right only. I had to wait for two changes of the light to get through only to have two drivers take the middle lane and make a left as well.
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   One was an elderly man who clearly had no idea that he wasn't supposed to turn left. The second was a seemingly normal woman in a station wagon. Both nearly caused accidents making their illegal turns since the other legit left turners had no idea they'd be sharing the lane. Has anyone else seen this type of behavior at that exit?

   Posted 1 year ago #         

2. Wednesday
   Member Profile

   I've seen this happen almost everytime I go to Costco and have nearly been hit a few different times by these inattentive drivers.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

3. Ken
   Member Profile

   

   I think the arrows were painted differently the first few weeks after it opened.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

4. me on 28th Ave SW
   Member Profile

   For whatever reason, people are assuming 2 lanes turn left. I never remember it ever being 2 lanes left, but could be wrong. We use this exit 1-2 times a week and at least 3 out of 4 times the person in the middle lane turns left too. It is a running joke in our family; we look at the car to our right and place bets of which way they will go. The signage above couldn't be more clear. I just don't get it.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

5. ghar72
   Member Profile

   I live south of the bridge, so don't usually take that route to Costco. The few times I have taken the 4th Ave exit though, it inherently feels like that middle lane should be a left turn. Don't ask me why, it's just where my brain goes. Maybe others feel that same impulse. Luckily I try to read the signage when I drive and use the correct lane. Just so you know it wasn't me, JayDee!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

6. Genesee Hill
   Member Profile

   

   Since I am a dunce, the SDOT should let me assist in planning these intersections. The left lane should be left turn only. The middle lane should be left turn and straight only. The right lane, where a good portion of the traffic will be heading, should be right turn only. With a right turn permitted after stopping at the red light.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

7. dbsea
   Member Profile

   Something about the Costco area sucks intelligent thought from people's minds. The parking lot is even worse. I believe the closer you get to the actual store the greater its power. Notice all the abandoned carts in the middle of crowded aisles as folks shuffle to the samples zombie-like. That's it! The samples are some sort of brainwave black hole.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

8. I Wonder
   Member Profile

   So if its so bad, why do you go there? (to make all these observations, I assume you are going there). Agree, the middle lane should be left turn/straight since it merges to two lanes anyway.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

9. Wednesday
   Member Profile

   I think it's a perfect spot for accidents even if they make the middle lane turn left because so many people are oblivious to what's right in front of them. Either way, people just need to pay better attention.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

10. redblack
    Member Profile

    

    genesee hill: really? or is that sarcasm? 'cause it should be two right turn lanes with a nice, long light, timed with the light at spokane. we're going to need that when 99 becomes even more fubared than it already is.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

11. Genesee Hill
    Member Profile

    

    redblack:

    It wasn't sarcasm, but you very well may be right. I just thought one right turn lane with a long light, and then a free right after stopping at the red light would suffice.

    I only go down that way in the non-commute hours, so I guess I very possibly don't know what the heck should happen during the commute hours! I defer to you!

    In other words, this is very possibly just the latest example of not knowing what I am talking about!! LOL

    Posted 1 year ago #         

12. DP
    Member Profile

    

    One was an elderly man . . . . The second was a seemingly normal woman in a station wagon.

    Aw, what!? Not again!! [Insert face palm here.]

    How much trouble in this world has been caused by the so-called seemingly normal woman?

    Don't you believe it!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VgEpl3qd8o

    Posted 1 year ago #         

13. hoffanimal
    Member Profile

    I'm not defending the said offenders becasue I figured it out my first time through and I am no genius......but, the painted lines on the ramp are already badly faded and the massively wide ramp feels like a bit of a free for all until you get to the intersection. Fresh lines and some arrows painted on the roadway might help the clueless get back in the game.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

14. JayDee
    Member Profile

    Thanks everyone, I was just wondering if I'd been lucky or unlucky. I go to Costco 3-4 times a year to shop (more often to car-fuel and wash) and wondered if this experience was an aberration.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

15. metrognome
    Member Profile

    per the P-I's 'Getting There' column of 5/17 in response to the identical question:

    'Eric Widstrand, the Seattle Department of Transportation's city traffic engineer, says city crews checked the intersection and made a few tweaks.

    '"This is part of new construction designed to support the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement. We reviewed the intersection, and, as you indicated, the markings and signs provide proper guidance to drivers. However, we noted that timing adjustments to the traffic signals could improve function at the intersection, and that the signals could be updated with arrows to further emphasize the proper turns in each lane. Both of these improvements were completed and should now be providing improved guidance to drivers," he says.'

    http://www.seattlepi.com/local/transportation/article/Getting-There-Drivers-confused-on-new-4th-Ave-1383776.php

    Posted 1 year ago #         

16. shihtzu
    Member Profile

    The first few times I took that exit, I almost made the same mistake. It does seem like the middle lane should turn left for some reason. Last night I took that exit and tried to figure it out. I think the lanes are striped wrong. The left lane splits into two lanes near the light. It seems like the right lane should split into two lanes.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

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