FOLLOWUP: SDOT plans ‘half-signal’ at California/Findlay, 2 months after deadly crash nearby

After a driver hit and killed 30-year-old Nicholas Wolf on California Avenue SW just north of SW Findlay, much discussion ensued about pedestrian safety in the area. But neighbors have been working on it for a long time.

Today, neighbors received word that SDOT plans to upgrade the California/Findlay intersection to a pedestrian-activated half-signal. Here’s the letter they got from interim SDOT director Kristen Simpson:

… I am following up on my previous email to let you know that we recently completed our engineering evaluation of this location, and to share with you our plan for making improvements.

In our study, we considered several factors including traffic volumes along both California Avenue SW and SW Findlay Street, turning movement counts, numbers of people walking and biking, transit ridership, travel speeds, roadway geometry, adjacent land uses, proximity of neighborhood greenway connections, potential school crossings, nearby signalized crossing opportunities, existing intersection traffic control, and the collision history of the intersection. Based on our analysis, we plan to upgrade the existing yellow flashing beacons at the intersection to a pedestrian half signal. The pedestrian half signal can be activated by push buttons and will stop traffic on California Avenue SW with a red signal indication. This pedestrian half signal design and operation will be similar to that of the traffic control at the nearby Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Findlay Street intersection. We will be funding this upgrade through our existing programs – including the Levy to Move Seattle – and intend to deliver this improvement by the end of this year, barring unforeseen issues.

In addition, we will be implementing a painted curb bulb in the southeast and northwest quadrants to improve sightlines for pedestrians crossing at the intersection, and installing a median island on the south leg of California Ave SW, in close proximity to the intersection to reduce the open feel of California Avenue SW, prevent the use of the center turn lane as a through lane, and potentially reduce vehicle speeds. We anticipate implementing these improvements by the end of this year as well.

The intersection has two RapidRide C Line stations, southbound just south of the crosswalk, northbound just to the north.

As for the deadly crash – the investigation continues but the initial police narrative was obtained by independent journalist Ryan Packer and provided to WSB. In it, police say the 16-year-old driver who hit Mr. Wolf returned to the scene, with his father, about an hour after the crash. The narrative says he told officers that he was driving “50 to 55 miles per hour” northbound at the time of the crash. Mr. Wolf and his wife had just been dropped off by a friend on the west side of the street and were crossing to get to their residence on the east side of the street.

65 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: SDOT plans 'half-signal' at California/Findlay, 2 months after deadly crash nearby"

  • Jon Wright June 30, 2022 (10:18 pm)

    Automated enforcement of speed limits everywhere please.

    • Jason B June 30, 2022 (11:27 pm)

      No. I prefer my privacy and not a surveillance state. 

      • bill July 1, 2022 (5:37 am)

        Get real Jason. You’re using an internet-connected computer. Everything you do on it is monitored somewhere. Same with your phone. Your whereabouts and activities are logged, unless you only have a landline at home. You are recorded on countless security cameras in public. Do you specifically avoid driving through school zones with automatic speed cameras? How about intersections with red-light enforcement? 

        • Jason B July 1, 2022 (10:27 am)

          Yes, weā€™re already in a deep surveillance state, true, but letā€™s not make it worse and unnecessary and raise taxes to keep it expanding. Peopleā€™s inability to follow traffic laws shouldnā€™t come at expense of law abiding people living in a police state.

          • Jort July 1, 2022 (2:39 pm)

            People’s inability to follow traffic laws results in deaths; actual deaths, not imaginary ones. Speed cameras are effective deterrents to illegal driving behavior and they’ve been successfully deployed in places all around the world, except mostly here in the U.S. where people (and their cowardly, weak-spined politicians) tend to believe that speeding in their massive, person-killing SUVs and trucks is literally a U.N.-recognized Human Right. 

          • Auntie July 1, 2022 (6:27 pm)

            If you’re abiding by the law, it won’t cost you anything. Those who are speeding are the ones who pay the tickets. Just like those who speed through school zones and run red lights where there are cameras. Behave yourself and you have nothing to fear! (BTW – you have no right to privacy on a public street.)

        • Pessoa July 2, 2022 (9:18 am)

          Bill: I’ll ask you the same question I asked Nick:  What is your  take, beyond stating the obvious? Are you arguing that because we already live in a surveillance state we should, like Oliver Twist, ask for more, please?  Would you argue, as Nick seems to be arguing, that because the Supreme Court has eviscerated the right to privacy, vis a vis abortions, that we should just throw up our hands and say, “oh well?”  

      • Jort July 1, 2022 (7:35 am)

        Then don’t drive. It’s a public road, enforcement of speeding law is in the public interest. If it bugs you, walk. The benefit of the doubt for drivers has long been abused. It is now time for blanket, automated accountability. Stop driving recklessly or start paying up. NOW.

        • Jason B July 1, 2022 (10:23 am)

          Driving and not driving has nothing to do with cameras all over. Two separate issues.

          • DC July 1, 2022 (3:39 pm)

            The privacy laws on traffic cameras are much stricter than most any other public surveillance. They aren’t even allowed to capture your face, which is why some are able to lie their way out of a ticket claiming they weren’t driving the car.

        • My two cents July 1, 2022 (10:31 am)

          Jort – does the same apply to jaywalkers? How about bikers that donā€™t signal with their hand at an intersection?

          • Jort July 1, 2022 (2:34 pm)

            Bikers and jaywalkers don’t kill people with their vehicles. Car drivers do that. The onus for more safety interventions falls on the people who cause more damage, death and injury with their vehicles. This is not a “both-sides do it,” issue. Cars are dangerous and destructive. The standards for accountability and their mitigations will be higher for cars than “jaywalkers.” 

          • My two cents July 2, 2022 (10:37 am)

            Jort – just wanted to confirm you had a sliding criteria with respect to enforcement of laws. Thx.

          • YES2WS July 2, 2022 (10:52 am)

            With the massive amounts of potholes, hills, and road debris, I certainly don’t always take my hand off the handlebars to signal a turn. If I can, I will; but honestly, there are many times where it feels safer to manage the bike than take my hands off the handlebars. (Interesting… it’s built right into the name.) šŸ˜Š

        • Pessoa July 2, 2022 (12:51 pm)

          Jort:  The hoary old “public interest” rationale.   How many times has this old trope been used to justify trampling on civil liberties.  How about this instead, Jort:  Keep your surveillance state off my personal liberties. 

      • m July 1, 2022 (7:54 am)

        At a minimum, there needs to be large speed bumps on California from Othello to Hamilton View point.  Driving is a privilege.  The kid admitted going 50-55mph, he should be charged with reckless driving and vehicular homicide.   Condolences to the family of Mr. Wolf. 

      • Mickymse July 1, 2022 (7:54 am)

        What do you think the current state of the world is? If you drive with a cell phone in your car, you’re already being tracked by your provider. Unless you have proactively turned things off, various apps may be tracking you as well. Your car itself may be tracking things and reporting back to the manufacturer. And everyone with their Ring doorbells and security cameras is capturing you along the way. Some of them keep posting such things up on the internet. And I am far, FAR more frightened by what all of these private corporations are doing with that data then I am with what the government might be doing with it — since the government has to let you know what they are doing with it and even turn over the data to you if you ask for it.But, by all means, tell us how you should be allowed to break the law and speed and endanger your neighbors rather than have a camera catch you in the act.

      • heartless July 1, 2022 (8:30 am)

        Don’t be silly, there’s no expectation of privacy when you’re in the middle of a public road.

      • Rocket July 1, 2022 (8:43 am)

        Jason, your naivety is tragically funny.

        • Jason B July 1, 2022 (1:27 pm)

          You can say words. But they donā€™t have meaning. What am I naive about? I donā€™t want more cameras. Yes thereā€™s a surveillance state already, I donā€™t want to add to it. We should be ridding worthless traffic cameras that donā€™t deter anything.

        • Concerned in West Seattle July 1, 2022 (1:59 pm)

          Jort – answer honestly. Have you ever jaywalked? Ridden a bicycle and run a stop sign or red light? Ridden a bicycle and made a turn without using a hand signal, especially in traffic where that information would be useful to other users? Have you ever violated right-of-way because you couldnā€™t be bothered to give way when required by law? Accountability for only those people and things you donā€™t like, am I right? *I* want accountability from pedestrians and bicyclists. NOW.

          • Jort July 1, 2022 (3:38 pm)

            How many other people did jaywalkers kill here in Seattle because they broke the law? How many cyclists are killing other people because they didn’t use a hand signal? Zero. Zero, zero, zero, zero. Car driving is more dangerous than walking and biking. Car driving causes deaths and injuries because cars are inherently dangerous machines capable of great destruction and damage. There will be additional responsibility and accountability for car drivers because car driving is more dangerous. This is not an issue of fairness. It would be … if jaywalking was responsible for tens of thousands of deaths per year, or if cyclists not using a hand signal resulted in tens of thousands of lives lost on the street. At some point you are going to have to face up to the facts that violations of the law by car drivers have significantly, exponentially higher potential for death, damage, injury and destruction than when you get annoyed about from cyclists. That’s how it goes. Cars are a big responsibility. You’re going to get held to a higher standard. 

        • Pessoa July 1, 2022 (6:15 pm)

          God, the tragic irony of that statement.  

      • Lagartija Nick July 1, 2022 (2:27 pm)

        Um, in case you missed it, the Supreme Court just decided that there is no right to privacy.

        • Pessoa July 1, 2022 (5:53 pm)

          What’s your point, Nick?  

          • Lagartija Nick July 1, 2022 (6:37 pm)

            Jason B claims he has a right to privacy and the Supreme Court just decided that there is NO right to privacy. I would think my point is pretty obvious.

      • Matt higgins July 1, 2022 (4:59 pm)

        You got a drivers license and license plate to drive on subsidized roads. If you want privacy, donā€™t use government subsidized assets such as roads. You can try riding bike or walking too – it seems you need the fresh air. 

    • Pessoa July 1, 2022 (7:06 pm)

      No, we have the expectation of privacy and a reasonably expectation that we will not be passively surveilled if we are not committing a crime.   This is a fundamental principle of a free society that we should strive to achieve, if imperfectly.  

  • Vee June 30, 2022 (10:36 pm)

    it was a tragedy but what i done know how what they are implementing would have prevented it from happening if they werent crossing at crosswalk and driver was speeding. I live on that street and people drive too fast  west on findlay all the time  and on california ave.My car has been hit while parked. also I see people  cross mid street all the time to go to canna and it is very difficult to see in the dark. it is also very difficult to enter california ave to go left or right due to lack of visibility with cars parked too close to intersection and cars speeding all the time 

    • k July 1, 2022 (6:32 am)

      You make great points. All users are pretty unsafe on our roads because we have built them for anything but safety. Our nation needs a road design overhaul. And to start taking traffic violence seriously. 50-55 mph? Would the investigation be pending this long if another method has been used to kill?

    • K July 1, 2022 (8:34 am)

      I’m one of the neighbors who advocated for this.  While I agree that this particular tragedy may not have been prevented by these new improvements, people in the community have been begging for safety upgrades for YEARS prior.  Numerous people have been hit in the intersection, including those who were run over when a car behind the vehicle that stopped rear-ended said car, pushing that car forward to run over the pedestrian IN the crosswalk.  I’ve seen cars lay on their horns and swerve around cars that stop for people.  I walk children to school in the mornings and see how many cars ignore them waiting to cross.  I’ve seen children in the afternoon who were crossing from east to west have to lean out into the crosswalk for any approaching cars to have any hope of seeing them, because cars have parked all the way up to the intersection (yes, there are rules about this, but we all know they aren’t followed).  So I, for one, am THRILLED by the action.  A half signal means there will be one stoplight on california at that intersection that only gives a red stoplight when activated by a pedestrian at the crosswalk.  It will be much more effective than flashing crosswalk lights that are on all the time and people ignore.  It will work just like the light at the intersection of Fauntleroy/Findlay.  

      • BW July 2, 2022 (8:41 am)

        Amen! This intersection is on the walking school bus line for Fauntleroy Elementary school and where the C-line stops. It makes perfect sense the intersection can be controlled to prevent car-pedestrian accidents.

  • Odd son June 30, 2022 (10:59 pm)

    While I am for whatever increases safety, Iā€™m not sure this is a good idea. Iā€™m not sure what half  signal means. If itā€™s like the light up at Genesee, I see it confusing to some pedestrians often as I walk and drive by. The pedestrians walk because of the white crosswalk lines, not realizing they have to push the walk button. Vehicles  have a green so this is extremely dangerous to pedestrians. Also, I see pedestrians push the button for the walk light then donā€™t wait and just walk when thereā€™s a break. The light turns red and vehicles stop waiting for no one to cross. Cross traffic has a stop sign and they often drive when the light turns green for California Ave there by cutting off right of way traffic resulting in road rage.

    The pedestrian activated flashing light at SW Dakota works better in my opinion. It was installed after a serious but non fatal accident.

    • heartless July 1, 2022 (8:37 am)

      I’ve noticed similar things at the Genesee crossing.  Drivers tend to get confused–I’ve seen many running the red light there, many others turning from westbound Genesee onto northbound California being confused–and pedestrians, as you noted, sometimes just notice the crosswalk and not the walk button/signal.  

      • Kevin on Delridge July 1, 2022 (3:42 pm)

        Prioritize crosswalks, that will reduce the confusion.

      • Rocket July 1, 2022 (4:05 pm)

        Lol.  If you are confused by what to do at a red light you seriously should not be operating a motor vehicle.  Reasonable measures will never cure our idiocracy completely but that doesnā€™t mean we should mitigate risk where we can.

        • heartless July 1, 2022 (4:37 pm)

          Obviously, you are right, many people shouldn’t operate motor vehicles. 

          That said, when deciding how to mitigate the violence of these idiots it’s wise to take into account how various safety improvements will invariably be flouted, ignored, missed, or simply misunderstood. 

          I’ve noticed that the half-signals seem to be more confusing and more often ignored or missed than other traffic/pedestrian control systems.  And that’s worth considering. 

    • K July 1, 2022 (8:39 am)

      A half signal means there will be a traditional stoplight at the crosswalk on California only, and that it will only turn red when a pedestrian at the crosswalk pushes the button.  People (mostly) adhere to stopping for red lights.  A crosswalk that is always flashing whether someone is there or not, becomes very easy to ignore.  

  • Aaron June 30, 2022 (11:07 pm)

    SDOT take the 2022 ‘Add Speed Bumps To California and Fauntleroy Every Block’ Challenge!

    • Rocket July 1, 2022 (8:44 am)

      The Fire Department would never agree to that. 

  • they July 1, 2022 (4:41 am)

    I find even at 25 mph when north bound crosswalk occupants can be hard to see entering the crosswalk. Mainly due to parked cars… 

  • James July 1, 2022 (6:36 am)

    Maybe we just need to do a better job with civil engineering? Other cities have used a combination of raised crosswalks and curbs protecting bike lines to allow for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers share the roads.

  • anonyme July 1, 2022 (6:49 am)

    I’m not sure a 16-year-old driver doing more than double the speed limit is going to respond to any of these ‘improvements’.  Has he been charged with manslaughter, as he should be? I also agree with Jon Wright that we need widespread, automated enforcement – especially as police do nothing, especially in regard to traffic enforcement.

  • JORT July 1, 2022 (7:39 am)

    Half-signal, half-measure. SDOT knows exactly what it needs to do to slow down and reduce car driving on California. But, as Seattle’s taxpayer-funded automobile advocacy organization, SDOT will never do it. The Golden Rule affixed to the large plaque at SDOT’s offices says, “THOU SHALT NEVER DO ANYTHING, EVER, THAT HURTS CAR DRIVERS’ FEELINGS. EVER.”  That organization dedicates 99.9% of its efforts to soothing car driver feelings. It’s the entire point of the organization. 

    • My two cents July 1, 2022 (10:34 am)

      Jort – really? Seattle Department of TransportationSam Zimbabwe, Director (206) 684-5000http://www.seattle.gov/transportationDepartment OverviewThe Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) develops, maintains, and operates a transportation system that promotes the safe and efficient mobility of people and goods, and enhances the quality of life, environment, and economy of Seattle and the surrounding region. The City’s transportation infrastructure is estimated to be worth approximately $28 billion, including these major system assets:ā€¢ 1,548 lane-miles of arterial streets;ā€¢ 2,396 lane-miles of non-arterial streets;ā€¢ 2,293 miles of sidewalks;ā€¢ 124 bridges;ā€¢ 499 stairways;ā€¢ 581 retaining walls;ā€¢ 22 miles of seawalls;ā€¢ 1,118 signalized intersections;ā€¢ 47 miles of multi-purpose trails;ā€¢ 2,293 miles of improved sidewalks and median pathways;ā€¢ 142 miles of on-street bicycle facilities;ā€¢ 38,000 street trees;ā€¢ 1,512 pay stations;ā€¢ 31,823 curb ramps;ā€¢ more than 194,000 signsThe SDOT budget covers three major lines of business:The Transportation Capital Improvement Program includes the major maintenance and replacement of SDOT’s capital assets; the program also develops and constructs additions to the City’s transportation infrastructure. The program includes the Major Maintenance/Replacement, Major Projects, and Mobility-Capital Budget Summary Levels (BSLs).Operations and Maintenance covers day-to-day operations and routine maintenance that keep people and goods moving throughout the city, which includes operating the city’s movable bridges and traffic signals, cleaning streets, repairing potholes, issuing permits, maintaining trees, and transportation planning and engineering. The four BSLs in this area are: Bridges and Structures; Maintenance Operations; Mobility-Operations; and Right-of-Way Management.Business Management and Support provides overall policy direction and business support for SDOT and includes the Leadership and Administration and General Expense BSLs.

      • KBear July 1, 2022 (9:24 pm)

        TwoCents, Sam Zimbabwe is NOT the director of SDOT, nor was he at 10:34 this morning. Maybe clear your browser cache? That said, I don’t think Jort’s information about SDOT is quite accurate either.

        • My two cents July 2, 2022 (10:39 am)

          Pulled it off city of seattle website – I was amazed that SDOT does things other than for cars!

  • Mj July 1, 2022 (8:29 am)

    Pedestrian activated rapid flash crossings are very effective.  Further they are less costly and reduce exhaust emissions as compared to a half signal.  

    • Foop July 2, 2022 (6:29 am)

      I wish this were true, I have one on my daily walk and on my frequent bike ride to cross 16th and very rarely does anyone stop for me.

  • Niko July 1, 2022 (8:58 am)

    They have money for this and speed humps but they can’t fix the roads

  • Her for the fun July 1, 2022 (9:09 am)

    Someone from the city needs to come out and cut the trees back in this block. They make it so dark, even in mid day, in the shadows under the trees. EVERYBODY crosses the street mid-block to get to and from Canna, that will not change. But the City could make it safe by cutting the trees back and adding more light. Also, why not put a crossing signal mid-block?  

    • anonyme July 1, 2022 (10:17 am)

      More tree butchery is not the solution.  Shade has nothing to do with it.  This accident happened at night, which has nothing to do with trees.  It has been proven that speeds are generally reduced on tree-lined streets, but in out-of-control zero-traffic-enforcement Seattle, that effect has been lost.

    • Chemist July 1, 2022 (11:35 am)

      I don’t think trees were the problem in this situation, but agree that the city is pretty far behind on street tree maintenance.  Modern requirements from SDOT are for 20 ft minimum from the trunk of a new street to a light pole and 30 ft from an intersection iirc, but a lot of street trees aren’t that far spaced and they’re not being trimmed.  I tend to notice that North of the Alaska Junction on California more.

  • Seaview Resident July 1, 2022 (9:44 am)

    THANK YOU, SDOT!! There are so many kids (elementary through HS), commuters, and residents who cross here every day (I know of 4 adults who have been hit in this intersection in the last 3 years). This is a big win for safety.

  • Chemist July 1, 2022 (9:48 am)

     installing a median island on the south leg of California Ave SW

    Oh, so they’re going to remove my ability to use the NB on California to W on Findlay turn pocket/center turn area at that intersection?  Hopefully SDOT puts some more no-parking markings on Findlay because that leg of the intersection often has people parking too close to the intersection and sometimes it’s difficult to turn off California NB to Findlay WB when there’s another driver waiting to turn from Findlay on the West side onto California.  I blame the “park and hide” and really wish the city would do better at marking the 20 ft setback from crosswalks (including the unmarked ones at intersections) and 30 ft setback from traffic control signs (like the stop sign) near all the rapid ride stops, and enforcing them.  The RPZ in the junction just pushed some people a stop away.

    • K July 1, 2022 (11:51 am)

      I don’t see where it was mentioned turns were being restricted. Median islands can be added to slow traffic in the two-way left turn lane while still maintaining accesses at key points for turns. Think of the area north of the Junction on California, where they have these installed in a few locations, turns still happen, and the narrowing of the roadway there naturally slows traffic and makes it safe for all users. Hopefully they are place to prevent u-turns as well (and installed all the way down California Ave Sw where possible.) It’s a damn shame we wait until people are killed by drivers to do something about it. I’ve also always thought adding paint and signage to curbs to discourage parking too close would be great, but I’ve never seen it done in other cities I’ve lived in and there are thousands and thousands of intersections in the city. Paint doesn’t seem feasible but maybe signage would be? I wish that as SDOT was adding in curb ramps, they would automatically add curb bulbs too, but probably a cost issue.

      • Chemist July 1, 2022 (2:43 pm)

        It sounded to me like the intention of SDOT is to create something similar to the California Ave SW / SW Spokane St island on the S side of this intersection, which will mean my turn from NB to W on Findlay will not be from the center turn lane and instead must be made from the travel/through lane… using my desire to turn there as a way to block traffic behind me/slow traffic down. It will also have the effect of keeping folks from passing the stopped buses in the turn lane.  That’s fine, but I frequently find myself needing to dwell in that turn pocket of the center turn lane when a bus has stopped and developed a group of vehicles behind it. It also isn’t entirely infrequent that buses break down and halt their route at the stop (sometimes it’s the lift mechanism going out) so blocking off the center turn lane like that can be pretty frustrating. I hope I’m worried about nothing expecting to encounter long waits, but I really am not happy to lose the out-of-traffic turn pocket there and this is the bus stop I walk to and am just learning about this plan (despite what is said about this plan being shared with neighbors, 4 blocks away isn’t close enough to be informed). Did the 16 year old driver pass someone in the center turn lane immediately before they hit the person crossing the street north of the intersection? 10 PM on a Friday night when this incident occurred isn’t exactly a quiet street to hit 50 mph+ and hit someone crossing from the opposite side of a 3 lane road.

  • Conjunction Junction July 1, 2022 (10:45 am)

    Oh lordy.

    The state could rescind the law that requires pot shops to have two distinct stores for paraphernalia and weed, that would help the problem that was the most obvious.  Maybe Canna could buy two barricades, put DO NOT CROSS HERE signs on them, and put them in the parking spots out front of their stores when they are open. 

    We need California to remain an arterial, so there are appropriate safety measures on an appropriate street.  This way, the dozens of other blocks and side streets can remain safe for walking, bike riding, etc.  And California can have proper, and expected, pedestrian safety measures.

    Arterials can’t have speed bumps, the fire department can’t get around properly.  And this forces drivers into the above mentioned side streets.  If there are too many impediments, like water, the majority of drivers will go the path with the least resistance.

    @Chemist, with regards to taking away a center lane at that particular intersection, we will just have to divert to the next intersection.  There are just intersections that I would never use to turn NB, and now this will be added to the list.  I very rarely turn NB on California, there are just safer ways to get to a controlled/lighted intersection.

    My 17 yo was bemoaning why they don’t remove parking on one of the side streets, coming off California WB or EB.  I had to explain that with every action there is an equal and sometimes opposite reaction.  If you remove the parking, folks will drive even faster coming to 42nd or 44th, and could be even more catastrophic  than having to take turns in the lane.

    Yes, trim back the trees.  But these pedestrians crossed mid block in the dark, and this 16 yo made a huge mistake to drive too fast, that teenagers have been making since cars were invented.  Almost nothing could have changed them making these fatal decisions, they were acting against the law and against common sense.

    I agree that the Genesee crossing is problematic and confusing, but is still the best option for crossing the students.

    I have lived on one of the Ave’s parallel to California for 25 years, I have seen the changes, I have a stake here, I have brought up children here, and I understand everyone’s frustration.  SDOT’s solution will solve a problem, and that is progress. 

  • Lynda B July 1, 2022 (11:16 am)

    I’d like to see whenever you renew your license or car registration you have to go through a refresher training before you can click to pay the fee.  Give us the stats of how many people died/injured and at what speeds. Tell us the impact of human bodies getting hit 20mph vs 30mph, vs 55mph.  Have a campaign with a traffic safety cone mascot (Ala Smokey the Bear).  Introducing Slowy the Traffic Cone: “Only you can slow your roll.  Save a life.”  Give away lots of vinyl stickers so we can slap them on our water bottles and on our new drivers.

    • Friend O'Dinghus July 1, 2022 (7:14 pm)

      Of all the ideas mentioned here, I think yours are probably the best Lynda; a little online presentation, then a ‘test’ afterwards. Requiring this while renewing your vehicle license annually will insure that even the most stubborn among us will read the information and then be forced to regurgitate it, achieving a modicum of safety awareness. Not perfect mind you, but soooo achievable. I like it!

  • Deb July 1, 2022 (5:12 pm)

    This tragic accident happened within the Morgan Junction Planning Area. The Morgan Community Association  or MoCA has invited SDOT to attend our next quarterly meeting to discuss community concerns and proposed mitigation measures. We just got confirmation that an SDOT traffic engineer WILL be able to attend our July 20, 2022 virtual meeting. The meeting from 7 to 9pm is open to all. If you are unable to  attend, feel free to send your questions for the City traffic engineer to mocacnc@gmail.com and we will be sure to ask them on your behalf. The formal meeting agenda and Zoom meeting link will be out July 13th. Thanks. Deb Barker, President, Morgan Community Association

  • Pessoa July 1, 2022 (6:46 pm)

    The ease with which people are willing to give up the civil liberties is absolutely breathtaking.  The expectation of privacy should be the default, not the exception.  Our country was founded on this principle.  No, there is right for the state to passively surveill me, vis a vis driving a car,  if I am not in the act of commiting an infraction.  Find other means of traffic control to reduce accidents and fatalities. Having dabbled on the right and left politically – very deeply on Left when I was younger – I abandoned both parties because both are now chocked full of petty, banal authoritarians who simply use different liturgies to accomplish the same goal.    

  • Pessoa July 1, 2022 (9:11 pm)

     The Supreme Court just made an inexplicable ruling that overturns a woman’s right to an abortion, and in doing so, violates a fundamental right to privacy enshrined in the Constitution.  The same people, presumably, who found this to be an atrocious ruling are now quite willing to surrender your right to drive without being passively surveilled, and not surprising, these are the same people who felt the government had the authority to stick a needle in your arm and restrict your activities during the pandemic, the same people who fall back on the “fire in the theatre” hoary cliche to justify restricting free speech.   As it turns out, rights are somewhat “flexible” for these people, depending on whether they fit – or don’t fit – their particular political or social agenda.  In fact, I doubt they are really interested in personal liberty at all.   The last real Americans?  The hippies of the 60’s, who went off and did their own thing and weren’t interested in telling their neighbor what to do.  Long live the 60’s. 

  • Millie July 2, 2022 (8:50 pm)

    I believe what bothers me the most is SDOT’s answer of completing the “pedestrian-activated signal by year-end if there are no unforeseen circumstances with money from the Move Seattle funds”.   Could this project not be expedited so that no one else is injured or killed at that particular intersection?  Just asking?

Sorry, comment time is over.