Next time you hear a horn – someone might be saving a life

| Safety | West Seattle news

Another matter of pedestrian safety – this time, gratitude, and a reminder, from Abby:

I wanted to both thank a driver and caution other less-than-careful drivers to watch out for pedestrians. Last night, getting off the bus at 35th and Roxbury, I was crossing Barton heading north on 35th Ave SW when a truck taking a left turn onto Barton nearly ran me over, going at quite a speed. It was only thanks to a driver stopped on Barton, heading East, who honked his horn that made me stop just inches shy of being hit and likely killed last night. Thank you. I am so grateful for your action – for being there-for honking. And to all of us who drive – please take care to be watchful and mindful of pedestrians, bicyclists, and fellow motorists.

Michael March 3, 2011 (5:09 pm)

It’s great that at least the horn-honker was paying attention to his surroundings.

Lauren March 3, 2011 (5:37 pm)

In the same spot, the same thing happened to me and my son as I was walking him to the bus stop. A car turned left in front of us as we were crossing 35th — didn’t even take a second look. Please slow down, drivers!

Jehu March 3, 2011 (6:19 pm)

It wasn’t a big red Ford dually by chance, was it? I’ve seen this truck in that neighborhood on a number of occasions, always driving “at quite a speed” and extremely aggressively. I think someone is trying to compensate for something…

Busser March 3, 2011 (7:46 pm)

So glad for you! Just today I posted a new forum topic here about ped safety….we’re all asking for more awareness and less speed.

Beth March 3, 2011 (8:14 pm)

Great news you weren’t hit. Also, drivers DO NOT attempt to cross the double yellow line on 35th. It’s an illegal turn for a reason…THINK people.

ScottA March 3, 2011 (8:28 pm)

@Beth – I don’t know the specifics of 35th (maybe there are signs prohibiting left turns) but double yellow lines generally don’t prohibit left turns. They just mean no passing. It is kind of a dumb rule with the “…if you don’t block traffic” detail.

quote from http://www.cityofseattle.net/transportation/sdotfaqs.htm : “Can I turn left over a double yellow line?

Two solid yellow lines between lanes of traffic means neither side can pull into the on-coming lane to pass another vehicle. However, you may turn left over a double yellow line that is less than 18-inches in width if you do not block traffic. If the yellow line is solid and wider than 18-inches, or if the space between double lines is crosshatched, it’s illegal to turn left. [SMC 11.55.140 Left turns between intersections –Limitations].”

JLBWA March 4, 2011 (6:44 am)

“It’s great that at least the horn-honker was paying attention to his surroundings”

And by that, I hope you meant why didn’t ABBY notice this vehicle without the horn warning… the responsibility goes both ways. Look before you cross!

samson March 4, 2011 (8:28 am)

thats sweet for the driver to beep the honk with inch away of the hitting. how does it works for deaf person if he/she couldnt hear the honk? it would be very scary for not hearing the honk…

I totally agree with Beth, DRIVERS stop crossing the double yellow lines or you will be getting some karma. I DONT CARE if it is “NOT ME” and pointing at someone else.

AND ALSO, why drivers fump turning right from 26th Ave SW through the red light even though the drivers have right way of going through green light in opposite direction? I almost got hit yesterday coming home from work and I pressed the honk so long to warn that driver… No wonder this forest green Minivan has many damages each side!!

Al March 4, 2011 (9:05 am)

JLBWA – do you walk much?
I am a very careful pedestrian and always check the intersection before I cross. Unfortunaely, if a vehicle is travelling very fast and decides to take a turn coming from behind me, or even from another direction with no warning, while I am in the middle of the intersection, how in the world do I predict that? Most of us do not have eyes in the back of our heads nor can we beat a vehicle travelling over 10 mph (and I’m assuming that this truck was going faster than 10 mph). This example is exactly why the law is on the side of pedestrians in intersections. The driver must always yield the right of way to the pedestrian within an intersection – always. The pedestrian did nothing wrong, the driver did. End of story.

LSWS March 4, 2011 (10:08 am)

35th and Barton is a main intersection with lights…I’m assuming you had a walk sign? Then you shouldn’t have to look before you cross…

RJB March 4, 2011 (10:36 am)

Thank you Al. I walk all over West Seattle…love it, not most drivers. Lived in “the city” for almost 14 years and never had so many close calls as I have here in W Seattle. Maybe with more people moving into this area, and drivers not use so many of us walkers. We all need to be aware and slow down….please.

dottie March 4, 2011 (11:01 am)

LSWS…you’re kidding, right? In a perfect (law abiding) world, she wouldn’t have to look before she crosses on a signal. But we don’t live in that world and we should never assume that car is going to stop JUST BECAUSE WE, AS PEDESTRIAN, HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. In the tussle between car and pedestrian’s right of way, it’s the car that will almost always win…but the pedestrian will be in the right…from a hospital bed or slab in the morgue.

rule of thumb; never automatically assume that car will stop for you, nor will it turn just because it has it’s signal on.

george March 4, 2011 (11:13 am)

LSWS – perfect example of “Pedestrian Privilege”. Really, don’t even look? The tombstone reads “But I Had The Right of Way!”

Abby March 4, 2011 (11:39 am)

Yes, I had the walk sign. Yes, I generally look around to see if a car is heading my way and do not assume that a car will stop for me. I am also a driver who has been guilty of going too fast or taking an unprotected left turn and being more concerned about beating the oncoming traffic than checking the crosswalks. The tiny episode was a good reminder for me to be more careful as a driver.

**If the honker is a WSB reader–I hope he saw this and knows that I’m grateful.

Al March 4, 2011 (12:48 pm)

There’s no argument that a pedestrian should be careful whenever using a crosswalk. However don’t get lost in the faulty reasoning that because they should be careful that it’s ultimately their fault for getting hit: “…perfect example of ‘Pedestrian Privilege’…” Wrong, wrong, wrong. There’s no “privilege.” There is Right of Way that’s well defined within the law and pedestrians ALWAYS have it (unless they are jaywalking or suddenly, unexpectedly step into the driver’s path). The pedestrian in this case was in the process of legally and rightfully using the crossswalk. No, I don’t want to be maimed or die because I am using a crosswalk. That obligation is solely on the driver, whether they choose to stop or not stop for a pedestrian. Period. End of story. Why in the world are some people contesting this?

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