When did stoplights become ‘rolling stops’?

[funkietoo]

I was walking home from the grocery store last night, around 9:30, heading south on California. I started crossing Hanford, with the walk light, when a vehicle on Hanford rolled through their red light and almost hit me. (I stopped). Yes, I was mad and pointed to walk light and her red light. No, I did not swear at her.She was apologetic and embarrassed.

With that being said, have others noticed how over time, many drivers seem to have forgotten how to make full stops at traffic lights (and stop signs)? I thought the law was that the ‘full stop’,(all forward motion has ceased), was to occur prior to entering the intersection. It’s a safety law–to prevent accidents. Thoughts?

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[SarahScoot]

I agree that this seems to have become normal behavior. I nearly get hit every morning walking north on California to catch the 54X at Morgan & Fauntleroy. The worst are the cars coming down westbound Holly to turn onto California; nearly every driver just rolls through that stop and I’d have certainly been hit if I expected people to actually stop. Same thing with all the condo garage driveways and the McDonald’s and Thriftway entrances. Of course we should be aware when walking, but I’m getting sick of having to be so incredibly cautious because no one’s paying attention as they’re turning into or leaving these areas.

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[miws]

This is my biggest pet peeve as a pedestrian. And I agree with what Sarah says about parking lot exits as well.

I have never actually tracked it, but if I were to observe any intersection for any length of time, especially Fauntleoy & California, (which is the one I mostly deal with), I’d bet the results would be at least 99% rolling, or worse yet, blasting into the crosswalk.

About a month ago, A lady that had done so actually apologized. I think she even added “sir”. But, I’ve become so tired and frustrated by the behavior, I didn’t even acknowledge the apology. :-/

Mike

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[Sue]

I’ve noticed this too. Actually saw it downtown today. And during the Fauntleroy construction, I noticed that the pedestrian-operated traffic light at Dawson became optional to stop at. I guess people figured that since there was no cross traffic, there was no need to obey the red light. I apologize to any drivers I inconvenienced by trying to cross the street on a walk signal and making you stop at a red light. :)

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[dhg]

I agree that it’s a huge problem. Just sit at Cactus at Alki and watch the cars TOTALLY IGNORING the stop signs. Even worse than that, I wanted to cross Fauntleroy at Lincoln Park and hit the button for the walk light. I started to cross when a small pick up behind the stopped car swung around to the right ran the light. If I hadn’t seen it, I would’ve been hit.

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[vincent]

This can’t be right, I am always hearing about how careful and innocent drivers are, at least when cyclists are involved. Oh well, good thing drivers can run you over with impunity!

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