Home › Forums › West Seattle Rants & Raves › RANT – Innovative way to run a red light
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July 25, 2011 at 10:42 pm #599895
cjboffoliParticipantLeave it to Seattlites to figure out a way to run a red light without setting off the cameras.
Earlier today I was in my car waiting at the red light on Avalon (facing west) at the intersection of 35th, just in front of the 7-11. There was a guy on a dirt-bike style motorcycle at the light when I pulled up. Apparently he didn’t want to wait any longer as I saw him take a right turn onto 35th (north). And then he immediately made a shallow U-turn (south), before making another right turn and continuing westbound on Avalon.
I didn’t see any flash from the red light cameras. The traffic light turned green about 10 seconds after he did this. I hope that extra 10 seconds was worth it to him.
July 25, 2011 at 11:15 pm #730426
johnnyblegsMemberI was waiting for the light on SW Marginal & Chelan Ave to turn green so I could take my left by the Chelan Cafe the other day. An SUV a few cars ahead was in a big hurry and had the bright idea to go around the car in front of them by using the opposite traffic lane and running that red light. Luckily no one was coming and I caught up with him at the light on Harbor Ave. Some people are just really stupid. Anything for that extra 20 seconds.
July 26, 2011 at 12:46 am #730427
FranciParticipantI’m always amazed at the risks I see motorcyclists taking, almost everyday. I’ve had the ride between my car and the car in the next lane on the AWV when traffic isn’t moving fast enough for them.. I have to say its very startling to look out the driver side window or catch them comming up on you in the side mirror –
July 26, 2011 at 1:11 am #730428
CaitParticipantCJB, I knew what intersection and situation you were referring to before I even opened this! Gotta laugh to keep from cryin’…
July 26, 2011 at 1:43 am #730429
JayDeeParticipantThat is a classic “Boston Driver’s handbook” maneuver titled: “Straight ahead on red”…a common variant is making a left turn by proceeding through the intersection, then whipping a U-ey and making a right turn. I won’t even mention backing up a one-way street because we don’t have too many in this neck of the woods.
July 26, 2011 at 4:22 am #730430
chrismaParticipantI was in California last week and was flabbergasted to learn that lane splitting (motorcycles driving between lanes of traffic) is legal there.
In California no law explicitly and clearly prohibits lane splitting, and significantly, it has become the traditional policy of law enforcement, the courts, and the public in California to tolerate it when it is done safely. However, those engaged in unsafe behavior, including unsafe lane splitting, can still be cited for violating certain sections of the vehicle code.
July 26, 2011 at 5:46 am #730431
datamuseParticipantHeck, it’s legal in about half the places outside the U.S. I’ve visited. In Bangkok two-wheeled vehicles (bicycles included) regularly go to the head of the line.
I’ve only seen people do it a handful of times in Washington, usually in stop-and-go traffic. I must not drive on the same roads that Franci does.
July 26, 2011 at 6:21 am #730432
wsgolferMember@Christopher, I believe the red light cameras were removed from this intersection quite some time ago. I ride (bicycle) through there several times a week, and hadn’t noticed them since December or January. I sent TR an email about them, and she said she’d look into it, but I never heard a confirmation that they were permanently removed.
July 26, 2011 at 3:56 pm #730433
AlParticipantYep – seen those moves by drivers that could cause a crash or physical harm to others before many, many times. I think from a cyclists perspective I notice dangerous driving, riding and walking more often than while I am driving my car. The amount of dangerous moves made by drivers is astounding and I have to just not think about it too much and just watch out for myself or I’d go nuts.
I see much less dangerous moves by motorcylists (except for one who used to come off the Vashon ferry in the mornings and used to illegally lane split…haven’t seen him for some time) and cyclists (caveat: dangerous for the cyclist themselves, yes, not so much for others).
Lane splitting in CA has been legal for a long, long time. People there are used to it. It’s not so dangerous as long as one is paying attention, not lane splitting stupidly (like going 50 mph on the freeway), and people are expecting it.
July 26, 2011 at 5:10 pm #730434
BostonmanMemberLOL, JayDee is so right. Considering I drove in Boston for 13 years before moving to Seattle I can say I have seen that along with many other things that were normal out in Boston but here they are considered cheating.
The difference in Boston is if you piss someone off you are likely to get into a fight. Here is you piss someone off they will probably just swear under there breath.
July 26, 2011 at 5:15 pm #730435
BigPhilParticipantI believe lane splitting at a light is legal in all 50; that is, moving between stopped cars at a red light to in between the first cars in each lane. It prevents motorcyclist deaths by having then at the pole position, rather than somewhere behind cars and crushed by some boxer who doesn’t see the stopped motorcycle, ala that truck driver who killed a dozen riders last year..
July 26, 2011 at 5:23 pm #730436
austinMemberMaybe time to brush up on the rules of the road.. According to section 46.61.608 of the Revised Code of Washington:
(1) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.
(2) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.
(3) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
(4) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.
(5) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.
July 26, 2011 at 5:29 pm #730437
BigPhilParticipantThe time copying and pasting that may have been better spent on reading my post more carefully. I’m quite aware of the motorcycle laws. What I described is called filtering, a distinctly different maneuver between stopped vehicles, considered separately from an overtaking maneuver.
July 26, 2011 at 5:31 pm #730438
austinMemberYour snark is cute but
(3) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
Seems pretty clear cut to me.
July 26, 2011 at 10:52 pm #730439
I WonderMemberIn Seattle, the New Englanders have to be tempted to the classic left turn lane “jump” at a red light, seeing that the locals always wait about 3 seconds before moving when the light goes green. I’d bet at least 2 Boston drivers could pull a left before a Seattle driver blinked at a green light. And before you go all hostile, its sometimes a couteous move. Rather than having one left turner at the front of the line of a two lane street blocking everyone else from going straight, it relieves congestion.
I always felt lane splitting was tolerated in hot climates to encourage helmet use, and prevent overheating of m/c engines.
July 26, 2011 at 11:47 pm #730440
KBearParticipantI Wonder, you’re absolutely right about Seattle drivers and green lights.
“Oooh… The light turned GREEN! Totally wasn’t expecting that! What do I do now? Let’s see, what did I do the last time this happened? That’s right, I sat there and thought about it for a while until it finally turned yellow! Maybe I’ll try that again. Meanwhile, I’ll just give a little wave to the guy sitting there waiting for me. Maybe he’d like to go first…”
July 26, 2011 at 11:58 pm #730441
KimberleyParticipantWhat’s with the Boston driver bashing? At least callout the whole state and refer to them as “massholes”. There are plenty of one-way streets in Seattle, I wouldn’t limit that maneuver to Bostonians.
I’ve had this conversation with many eastcoasters and most have said that Washington hands down has the worst drivers – they’re (for the most part) just clueless and unaware of their surroundings.
July 27, 2011 at 12:27 am #730442
I WonderMemberWhat makes you think its Boston bashing Kimberly, I think its Seattle driver bashing at its best! I rather miss the drivers, who at least know how to survive as a culture. Going 70 on 128, w/o fear of a speed trap. Or staying clear of the left lane squatters who block I-5 “except to pass”. Me thinks you are miss reading this. Besides, just the Mainer’s call em Massholes.
July 27, 2011 at 12:34 am #730443
KimberleyParticipantDon’t forget the ability to go 70 down the Pike during a snowstorm!
Oh there were a few Boston driver bashing comments. I don’t think it’s just the Mainiacs that call them Massholes, most of New England does. Hey, my years of Boston/Mass/New England driving (not to mention dealing with all the Big Dig detours) prepped me for driving anywhere.
July 27, 2011 at 12:44 am #730444
I WonderMemberSo Kimberley, have you been back to Boston since the Dig is done? We were back a few weeks ago, and I have to say, was impressed with how things have turned out. Lived there during it and it was a pain tryin to find your way around the artery. But now! The pedestrian way is wonderful and the whole downtown area is opened up. It makes me think it is worth doing in Seattle, if people can deal with the fact that some snags and disruptions are going to happen. What project doesn’t?? Jeez, they already tore down the 1st ave off ramp because they missed by a few inches. Snow storms were a breeze, you’re quite right!
July 27, 2011 at 2:18 am #730445
kootchmanMemberI believe any civil disobedience related to cameras revenue enhancement is great. We should put a pellet gun bounty on them….twenty bucks for everyone popped…thirty if you can prove you read George Orwell at the library…. if they keep coming back…up the caliber.
July 27, 2011 at 3:03 am #730446
cjboffoliParticipantI Wonder: All of those Big Dig tunnels are great, as are the wide open plazas at street level where the Central Artery used to be. But just watch out for those falling light fixtures though. $15 billion and they can’t seem to figure out how to keep them stuck to the ceilings.
I learned to drive in Massachusetts. Though I realize that Mass drivers can be considerably selfish and aggressive, there is a certain consistency and predictability to the way they drive. You also have to give them credit for knowing how to handle a car in all sorts of extreme weather.
Washingtonians certainly have their quirks, such as the aforementioned proclivity to refuse to yield the left lane, the wait for another shade of green after the light changes, and a tendency to run more red lights than any other place I have ever driven. However, they are far from the worst drivers in America. Hands down that title goes to the drivers of New Jersey.
July 27, 2011 at 3:08 am #730447
chrismaParticipantJuly 27, 2011 at 4:01 am #730448
cjboffoliParticipantYes. The population is comprised of retirees from New Jersey ;-)
July 27, 2011 at 4:53 am #730449
chrismaParticipantOf course! I can’t believe I didn’t make that connection.
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