Report #1: Pedestrian-safety rally at 35th/Juneau

| High Point | Safety | West Seattle news

Not only were concerned residents out along 35th at Juneau for this afternoon’s rally — so were representatives of organizations including the High Point Neighborhood Association, Neighborhood House, Providence’s Elizabeth House, and Safe Futures, including these young participants:

A major city contingent was on hand too: SDOT reps including communications director Rick Sheridan, and Seattle Police including Community Police Team Officer Kevin McDaniel:

A radar-wielding motorcycle officer was stationed on the west side of 35th as well:

On the east side, just north of the rally site, there was an SPD cruiser with radar-equipped speed readout on the east side. SDOT reps actually met with organizers including Neighborhood House’s Denise Sharify yesterday to talk about what has been done on the street and what they plan to do next, and Sharify tells WSB she’s “very optimistic.” We’ll post another report later with video as well as details of what the city says it will do. Meantime, you’ll likely see something about this on tonight’s TV news, as we counted at least three photojournalists at various times during the hourlong rally.

Sandra M October 7, 2008 (5:40 pm)

Excellent!
Power to the pedestrians! I was unable to show up this time, but if there’s another one of these, I’ll try to be there for sure. Drivers seem to be on auto-pilot too much of the time. Please SLOW DOWN for pedestrians and bicyclists if you’re behind the wheel. Thanks to all those who rallied today.

John M. October 7, 2008 (7:25 pm)

Not barely two hours after post as we drove down 35th, we passed an accident at this very intersection. Kinda adds credence to the Sandra’s auto pilot comment.

Here is the 911 log:
10/7/2008 6:47:32 PM F080093074 E33 Sw Juneau St / 35th Av Sw Motor Vehicle Accident

datamuse October 7, 2008 (7:57 pm)

Ha! John, I saw that same accident, at about the same time. Good to know that irony isn’t dead, I guess.

35th commuter October 7, 2008 (8:12 pm)

Many people do obey the speed limit on 35th but do not pay attention to other factors while driving such as a pedestrian waiting to cross at an intersection where there is no crosswalk, or they are distracted by there cell phone or texting even though it is against the law. I see drivers speed up so they can turn quickly in front of oncoming traffic and risk getting hit everyday when they should wait until there is more of a break in the traffic to make there turns safely. Also nothing is more disturbing (or annoying) than someone who stops to turn across traffic in the middle of a 4 lane roadway with a double yellow line (it is unsafe and illegal also). Drivers need to wake up and face reality here – peoples lives are at stake especially there own. It doesn’t take much to slow down, pay attention and save some lives – you will be doing us all a favor.

mellaw6565 October 7, 2008 (8:30 pm)

It will also help if pedestrians stick to the crosswalks – there is a crosswalk one block from Juneau that should be used!

WSB October 7, 2008 (8:49 pm)

We checked out that crash – it turned up on 911 while we were en route to a meeting we later had to leave for the Cal-Mor fire call … it cleared fairly quickly but we will be including it in the more-detailed report on today’s rally and the city’s plan for the area, working on that when we get home shortly from Cal-Mor – TR

Brandon October 7, 2008 (9:37 pm)

Yes, ironic that the protest is located at the very intersection that is unmarked, when there are signal lights one block north and south of 35th/Juneau. How about some education for our kids about where to cross a busy 4 lane street, rather than dashing from out behind a stopped car and blaming the driver.
Think about it: do you want your kids trying to stop traffic at an unmarked intersection, or taking the extra time to walk ONE block to a signaled crosswalk?
And, if they can get Admiral to 30 mph, why not 35th?