READER REPORT: Wet-season warning about a treacherous turn

| Safety | West Seattle news

Received from Rachel, who has a warning for you:

The rains have returned and I wanted to send a warning about a very slick corner that has caught numerous drivers off guard when taking it too fast.

These photos are a result of making a left from SW 16th to SW Austin going too fast on a wet road. I have lived at this corner for 20 yrs and this is a yearly occurrence. Note: tree always wins and this poor tree has taken quite the beating. I also have concerns that someone standing on this corner might end up getting hit.

One car took out the walk signal and kept going. I have brought this to the city’s attention and they said since there are no police reports there is nothing they can do. Most drivers hobble off or call a tow truck and it never gets called into 911.

She’s hoping a highlight here might “help save a few from falling victim.” So consider yourself warned!

John October 4, 2024 (4:31 pm)

I hope the tree is OK.

RickB October 4, 2024 (4:51 pm)

I have brought this to the city’s attention and they said since there are no police reports there is nothing they can do.Umm, surely they can replace the signal?

Christopher B October 4, 2024 (5:44 pm)

I hope Rachel (or someone else) walks it up the chain of command as that kind of bureaucratic blow off is ridiculous.
- I love justice October 5, 2024 (6:59 am)
  
  Here is how this will play out. Someone will get hurt or killed there. Then this blog and the comment of the person who called the city will be evidence of the city’s notice and lack of any concern. Then the city and others wi he sued. Then they will complain the suit is meritless. Then either a jury or a settlement will tell them otherwise. Why doesn’t the city just evaluate the issue and see what reasonable steps can be taken to prevent harm?
Erik October 4, 2024 (7:20 pm)

I don’t think they were referring to the streetlight so much as they were the driver.
Anne October 5, 2024 (8:06 am)

Use find it & fix it app for the signal-response is pretty quick.

The King October 4, 2024 (5:40 pm)

That one didn’t sit well with me either. I’d think SDOT would be the folks to call and why in the world would SPD be delegated to initiate the process to repair infrastructure? Our government is too big at this point

Derp October 4, 2024 (10:48 pm)

They would go off of SPD report that there was a problem, not for the repair. Wow people come on

bill October 4, 2024 (7:36 pm)

Yep, I’ve had this conversation. If there are no police reports of crashes at an intersection the city deems it safe. Always assess where out of control cars are going to go when you are standing at an intersection.

Neighbor October 4, 2024 (7:47 pm)

“The tree always wins” 😂

Admiral-2009 October 4, 2024 (10:13 pm)

Employment data came out today, it was a good report thus it is not necessary to create work for auto body repair shops. The first rains always seem to generate work for the these facilities and their employees!

Slowdown October 5, 2024 (9:24 am)

I guess it’s good that there a tree there for cars to run into versus hitting a person on the sidewalk. That tree has nothing to do with car crashes in that corner, don’t blame the tree instead blame people who are driving too fast and don’t understand you need to slow down. Just a note, normally nothing will be done by the city until a pedestrian is killed by a car in that area! It’s one reason why there is a light for people to cross by the Ballard Pool is because in the late 80’s a boy was hit by a car and his friend witnessed him being hit as the two of them ran across the road. I was in a car , three cars ahead of the car that hit the boy and my brain is burned with the image of the horror in the boy’s face as he saw his friend being hit by the car. A small pickup truck was right in front of the car I was in so I didn’t actually see the boy being hit by that car.

Marcus October 5, 2024 (9:47 am)

The road is wet and the road is slick, Oh my that surprises me I guess I am thick. Soon it will get cold and another throw of the dice, I guess I need to go back to school to understand that water can turn to ice. I do not understand that speed and traction relate, with changing conditions maybe I should slow down and even wait. But no no I need to get where I am going, I do not know the meaning of slowing.

Rachel October 5, 2024 (10:09 am)

SDOT cares for your safety?

Rachel October 5, 2024 (10:13 am)

And this one in 2021 after reaching out after yet another accident.

K October 5, 2024 (3:48 pm)

Does SDOT not understand that people don’t report single-vehicle crashes to the police? You don’t need a police report when you’re at fault.

Really? October 5, 2024 (12:00 pm)

A bit surprised that you’d post someone’s concern about drivers speeding on one street that has had a history of crashes.

Please allow me to add … Admiral, California, Harbor, Avalon, 35th … and every other street that intersects each of them … slow down, whether the streets are wet or not, slow down.