West Seattle traffic alert: Crash at top of Highland Park Way hill

(Photo added 6:47 pm)
5:54 PM: Fairly low-level response on the 911 log but high-profile intersection, so we’re off for a look at the Highland Park Way/Holden crash.

6:17 PM UPDATE: 2-car crash, ambulance for 1 person. Traffic getting through every direction except turning left to go down the hill.

14 Replies to "West Seattle traffic alert: Crash at top of Highland Park Way hill"

  • Rats July 25, 2012 (6:12 pm)

    Seems like a lot of accidents in this area lately, no?

  • John July 25, 2012 (6:15 pm)

    Any updates?

  • Jon July 25, 2012 (10:27 pm)

    This corner has more wrecks than you can count. You can’t see around the corner down the hill and people just don’t look before they pull out. Needs a light for as many as there are.

  • marcus ativalu July 25, 2012 (11:52 pm)

    no light
    i live right there and there are NOT that many accidents
    a light there would be dumb

  • vraxvallhala July 26, 2012 (12:07 am)

    When can we get a light here? The sooner the better.

  • Wendell July 26, 2012 (6:24 am)

    Better road markings and signs would help. It’s a “only in Seattle” type of intersection.

  • Danny July 26, 2012 (6:37 am)

    That intersection works fine if you know how to drive. There’s plenty of people that refuse to turn left down the hill when there are cars coming from the right, despite the curb dividing the two lanes. I drive a small car, yet I have have enough visibility to see cars coming up that hill just fine.

  • Delridge Denizen July 26, 2012 (7:34 am)

    This is actually one of the better-functioning intersections in Seattle as it is now.

  • Kay K July 26, 2012 (7:53 am)

    I’ve always thought this would be a great location for a roundabout. They have them all over the east coast and that way no one really has to “stop”.

    Traffic experts have told us the intersection has too much unmarked asphalt, which confuses drivers.

    Plus people have the tendency to speed coming up the long Highland Park Way hill-the max is supposed to be 30mph, but the average speed up the hill is at least 40-45, then you hit the flat at the top with the gas pedal to the floor. Zum zum….

  • Colby July 26, 2012 (8:27 am)

    If you know how to navigate the intersection then you’re alright. I’ve seen too many people make the left hand turn onto Highland Park (going down the hill) too wide and go around the barrier, nearly causing an accident. I go through the intersection several times a day as I live right by it.

  • Westie July 26, 2012 (9:10 am)

    WSB, do we know which way drivers were intending to go? I drive here to and from work every day and the only thing that seems to be an issue that I’ve seen is the fact that a lot of people turning right on to Holden from uphill HP wy don’t seem to know that they need to yield to the people turning left on to Holden from HP wy going downhill. Or the opposite where people turning left on to Holden from HP wy don’t realize that they have the right of way if nobody is coming up the hill going straight.

  • marcus ativalu July 26, 2012 (10:33 am)

    a light would ruin the intersection at peak times just like rapid ride did california and morgan.
    our dot is so lame, its like they never learn how to NOT pee into the strong wind
    they have forgotten thier number one job
    laying fresh smooth concrete….not cheap ASSfault

  • jedifarfy July 26, 2012 (11:33 am)

    I just moved from that area. The #1 problem is that every driver in each direction assumes THEY have the right of way. If you have a STOP or YIELD, you don’t have ROW when other cars are there. I’ve nearly been hit many times in that intersection.

  • datamuse July 26, 2012 (1:35 pm)

    Yep, I still live near that intersection and jedifarfy has the right of it. Total PITA. Although, I’ve been there for 13 years and no accident yet…now watch, I’ll get sideswiped on my evening commute.

Sorry, comment time is over.