TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

8:01 AM: Good morning Late start but we have reminders:

BUS STOP REOPENING: Metro says the northbound bus stop on 35th SW just south of Avalon will reopen today.

WEEKEND CLOSURE: SDOT plans to close 35th/Alaska again this weekend, starting 7 pm Friday.

LAST DAYS: And a reminder that Friday is the final day of the Ride2 shuttle service

9:55 AM: A “large white tarp” is reported to be causing a hazard on the Delridge onramp to the bridge.

Mk December 19, 2019 (1:28 pm)

When it’s grey and rainy, why don’t people turn on their headlights and slow down? It may not be a law but that’s beside the point (there are dozens of laws people flaunt every day). I see people speeding down residential streets when vision and stopping distance are compromised. Light colored cars (silver especially) blend in with the sky and pavement. People drive at night without headlights so I don’t know why I am even trying to make this point.

Sar December 19, 2019 (3:08 pm)

Since moving here from the east coast a few years ago, I have been surprised by how many people here drive without headlights on at night. What’s up with that??? Totally agree about rainy days too, when in doubt just turn them on!
CAM December 19, 2019 (3:41 pm)

Coming from another state I assumed that was the law because, duh, why wouldn’t it be? I’m pretty sure all the other places I’ve lived have legislation that says if you have to use your wipers on auto, the headlights must be turned on. But apparently Washington thinks that the average driver is a weatherperson and can measure visibility independently while driving their vehicle. According to RCW 46.37.020, “Every vehicle upon a highway within this state at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of one thousand feet ahead shall display lighted headlights.” I would presume that on a day like today that 1,000 foot limit would be easy to establish but who knows. All that being said, I still intend to turn my lights on if my windshield wipers are on whether it’s required or not.
Matt P December 19, 2019 (6:02 pm)

Better yet, just leave your lights on at all times no matter the time of day or the weather. It’s been proven to reduce accidents, so might as well be as safe as you can be.

CarDriver December 19, 2019 (3:16 pm)

I’m with you MK. The density level of a lot of drivers is pretty high. Seems that with most new cars today the dash lights up when they start up. Drivers are too distracted to notice their lights aren’t on. The only fix is to lobby for automatic lights that are on when the car is running(or in gear).

Sorry, comment time is over.