Thanks to Sharonn for the photo from 37th/Alaska, where a Route 54 bus was involved in a crash. Not major, but as you can see from the ambulance in the photo, at least one person was hurt, and eastbound Alaska (by the VFW and Legion halls) will be difficult to get around until the scene is clear.
This area is the perfect storm, speeding buses and cars, tons of pedestrians and cyclists, and parked buses that really reduce visibility. This time it’s a car/bus accident but next time it is going to be a pedestrian trying to cross the street to get to the YMCA or the bus stop. How do we advocate for a cross-walk which provides a safer crossing and hopefully slows the traffic as well?
I was on that bus, right up front.
The issue wasn’t one of visibility, but of attention. Elderly lady driving the car, just pulled right out in front of the bus and then froze; the driver braked and attempted to swerve, but to no avail. Buses always run with their lights on, for the same reason motorcycles do – so they can be seen. (Motorcycles because we’re squishy; buses because they’ll squish *you*.)
They transported the lady to hospital for possible subtle head/neck injury – she was up and walking around but they checked her and had her put a collar on just as I was leaving. The driver reported her arm/hand a little sore from holding onto the wheel; I’ll probably be sore in the morning, since I was sitting funny when we hit… but nobody else (including the passenger of the car) was affected, to my knowledge.
I really don’t think this is so much a question of roadway safety (which you’re not going to get anyway, with King County so strapped they’re threatening to partially gut Metro, and the city not doing much better) as *driver* safety. I know that going through my motorcycle safety course (and riding nearly every day) makes me a *much* better car driver on those rare occasions I do drive. I highly recommend some kind of course to anyone. You save money on insurance, and you might safe a life.
Three cheers for OneBusAway; I was able to tell folks when the 55 was coming behind us… and the 55 driver said he and his colleagues often have their fares peek and see if they’re ahead or behind when they’re on a long stretch between time points (or just don’t have time to look).
There are issues on this road regarding the upcoming RapidRide lanes, parking, where the buses lay over, etc. Anyway, I did want to say, to one of Ninja’s points – I recommend everybody run with their lights on at all times. If there’s a good reason not to, I haven’t heard it. There are places in the world where it’s mandatory. If there’s anything that can boost visibility, legally and safely, I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to.
I agree, for years now, have my headlights on at all times; think especially important in grey Seattle; only down side is having to replace light bulbs more often, but well worth it to be seen, less likely to be hit
Good news, probably another elderly driver off the road. Hopefully, her family will take this seriously and find her alternate transportation.
Speeding buses? Hard to speed up in that area as there is a light and a bus stop on each end of the street. Pedestrians running to the Y (as a life long pedestrian, hope I won’t be tempting fate by running out in front of a bus because I technically have the right of way)..and most bikes don’t go that way…
I will give you that visibility can be an issue when the street is backed up with more than one bus when they get caught at light and stops.
Add me to the list of proponents for always driving with the headlights on. Though I rarely ain the drive anymore, whenever I do, the lights come on.
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I’ve been amazed for years, but was just noticing again the other day while waiting for the bus near heavy truck traffic, at the number of big rig drivers that run without headlights on, especially on gray/rainy days.
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One would think that those drivers, of any out there, would be the first to be running with lights on, as they have only their mirrors to see what is beside them.
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Mike
People need to pay more attention when they are out around traffic. Both drivers and pedestrians need to stop assuming that the other guy is looking out for them. There are so many distractions out there and too many times people focus on the distractions rather than their actions. By grace neither lady in that car was badly injured, an aware transit driver who was able to react appropriately made the difference between life and death. My hat is off to them
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