RANT: Traffic with yield sign not yielding!

[voodoo]

Yesterday when going up the ramp from Delridge to the West Seattle Bridge, I nearly hit somebody who did not obey the yield sign in the lane that comes up (from Spokane Street?) on the left. (Sorry, it’s hard to describe – I’m not sure where traffic in that lane is coming from, but if you go from Delridge to the bridge you will know where I mean).

It is a regular occurrence that NO ONE in that lane, most noticeably Metro buses, actually yields to traffic from Delridge there. I have thought about reporting it to Metro, but after yesterday’s close call, I wonder if talking with the police about it would be more productive. (Can they ticket someone for not obeying a yield sign?)

There is not a lot of traffic in that lane, and given that drivers there are supposed to yield anyway, I assume I have the right of way, but often find myself slowing down for folks who just blow right up that ramp. What can be done about this?

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[mpento]

Thank you voodoo. I was nearly part of a three car pileup this week because a black pickup truck tried to merge onto the Delridge ramp and freaked out the driver on Delridge who I think slammed on the brakes more out of protest than panic(maybe). Unfortunately the truck was not behind the car at the time and continued on their oblivious way. The following morning I see a truck that I’m pretty sure was the same one doing their merge again!!! I can only assume that this wonderful human believes it is a merge. I can see that it is a tough hill for the buses BUT metro’s bad example is making other drivers think this is a merge. STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT There needs to be some significant road markings laid down there because the yield sign is badly placed. It is probably the worst spot on the bridge for police to pull someone over. I think maybe a yield camera just like the red light cameras should be installed. I mean imagine the revenue and the lives you might save(by preventing me from using my tire iron).

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[datamuse]

I know the spot you’re talking about. The trouble is, the visibility toward Delridge when you’re coming up that ramp is terrible (though I’d think that buses, being higher up, could see better). The safety barrier is so high that it’s really hard to see whether there’s any traffic coming from Delridge.

I always obey yield signs, but I’ve gotta admit, there have been times coming up that road when I’ve checked my right as best I can and then prayed I didn’t miss something.

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[beachdrivegirl]

There was a thread a few months back about this. I have to admit- I asked the question b/c I was nearly in an accident. I think part of the problem is also b/c the yield sign is a bit hidden and if you are not driving that ramp daily individuals are not aware they are supposed to yield.

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[JoB]

at that intersection.. i always assume i will have to yield.. that may irritate some people but it is safer that way

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[sam-c]

when I saw the topic title, I thought surely this yielding situation can’t be any worse than ALL of the drivers that fail to yield at the Delridge WS bridge on-ramp. lo and behold, of course it is about those non-yielders.

luckily, sort-of, the merged portion of the on ramp there is wide enough so that you can see who should speed up and how should slow down so you don’t hit each other.

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[voodoo]

Thanks for the commiseration, all. Sorry I missed the original thread, beachdrivegirl (found it! https://westseattleblog.com/forum/topic/bridge-question).

I guess I will have to get it out of my head that there is a yield sign there for others to obey.

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