That two-car crash is currently blocking the northbound side of 35th SW by SW Othello [map], near the former Fire Station 37. Traffic is getting by both ways via other lanes. No one appears to be seriously injured, but Seattle Fire is checking out one driver.
How does one find out if traffic accidents have increased on the stretch of 35th that was 4 lanes and is now 2 plus a turn lane? I have almost rear ended someone, or been rear ended, more than once since the change. The backup at certain times is several blocks – and several lights – long and it stops and goes like crazy. I think it was an unnecessary thing to do and believe it has made that area less rather than more safe.
I’ve thought the same thing. I’ve had to grenade the brakes a few times because people try to turn left when the gap isn’t quite big enough but they’ve waited so long.
I’ve been thinking the same thing. Seems like there are a lot more fender benders. Traffic on that street stops a lot more randomly now.
Information was released about the Roxbury re-channelization a little while ago that showed a reduction in incidents. They track statistics on 35th as well and I have every expectation the numbers will show the re-channelization on 35th has made that road safer too (based on my own experiences on that stretch of road before and after the change).
If you are talking about the information presented at the open house at Neighborhood house, it actually did NOT show a reduction in incidents. It didn’t show anything. They compared 10 years of accident data to the 11 months since the rechannelization. There was not enough data to come to any statistical outcome except that rear-end accidents had increased slightly (which Jim Curlin told me verbally, it wan’t presented in the posters). Several attendees pointed out that the posters implied that the road was safer, his only response was “this is all the data we have”.
I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect 10 years of data on a re-channelization when that change has only been in effect for about a year. It makes a lot of sense that that’s “all the data they have.” And if you look at the data for what it is (rather than looking for a way to confirm what you think), it does show fewer incidents and less serious incidents.
@AMD – Can you share the information you’ve reviewed or where to find it? It sounds like you have seen data that makes you think the change has been an improvement. I’d like to better understand your position.
What’s interesting is that in the time I have lived on 35th just under 3 years. I personally have witnessed 6 rear-enders, 2 head-ons ( very minor injuries ) and one t-bone ( also minor injuries ) and this was after the re-channelization. I am by no means a traffic engineer but that clearly shows to me the increase in just over a year. Never mind the fact that anyone wishing to try and cross mid block from one side to another ( sans a crosswalk ) will often wait 90 secs to sometimes several mins, additionally I have also seen numerous near misses involving pedestrians and cars EVEN in the crosswalks.
In my unprofessional opinion What they did to 35th between Holly/Barton was unnecessary and actually created a more dangerous driving situation but that is just one man’s opinion.
Maybe the drivers are creating the dangerous situations. I imagine smartphone use while driving and other types of distracted driving are not on the decline.
IMHO, the re-channelization has made it harder to turn onto 35th from the intersection streets (due to seemingly never ending stream of cars), SO people make riskier turns onto 35th- causing the random sudden stops. and if you don’t take riskier turns onto 35th, the person waiting behind you will honk at you (in my experience)
This road is more dangerous to drive now because the increased variance of speed leads to more accidents, but I guess SDOT succeeded in one way by slowing average traffic down to the point where the collisions happen at somewhat lower speeds. I’ve driven it regularly before and after the lane changes and my personal experience is that it is now much more stop-and-go, more road damage (potholes, etc), and more road rage because drivers are frustrated with the experience trying to get where they need to go. Road diets might work on some roads but this is definitely not one of them, and it’s only going to get worse as more people move to this area.
Anything generated by sdot is likely to be bogus in favor of promoting their agenda. Always insist on seeing the *raw* data numbers, dates and locations and not their massaged summaries.
The other thing SDOT has accomplished is a much higher incidence of road rage, as I have observed in other drivers’ behavior and experienced myself. But they don’t care, they don’t have to.
I have lived for over 22 years in Arbor Heights. I don’t recall so many fender benders on 35th at the current rate – seems to be an increase with these incidents. Despite the slower speed, and alleged safety enhancement with one lane each direction, a lot of fender benders have been happening since the road diet. I don’t believe it is safer. And driving from 35th and Roxbury to Bartell’s on Roxbury takes 10 minutes with the two school zones in full force – it is like a 15 -20 MPH slog the entire way.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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