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Is Twenty the New Twenty-Five?

Q: I’ve noticed some cities changing their speed limits in neighborhoods and business districts from 25 MPH to 20 MPH. Does five miles per hour really matter for safety or is it just another way to discourage driving?

A: There is little doubt that some city planners would like less people driving cars on city streets. And not just city planners; when I drive through Seattle I often selfishly wish that less drivers were allowed on the road (as long as I’m still allowed, of course.) New roads are expensive and there isn’t always room for them; in crowded cities fewer drivers might be the best (even if unrealistic) option. However, I don’t think a reduction from 25 MPH to 20 MPH is part of that agenda. The data show that a five MPH speed reduction really does have an effect on pedestrian safety. Continue reading “Is Twenty the New Twenty-Five?”

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Jacked Up – Is It Worth The Risk?

Q: Considering the money invested by the auto industries to make automobiles safer and traffic crashes more survivable, how can it be legal for individuals to raise their pickup trucks such that in a crash they will impact above a standard automobile’s bumper? How can it be legal for the drivers of these pickup trucks to embellish the front bumper of their vehicle with massive steel custom bumpers which ensure that anyone struck by their truck will suffer maximum damage and/or injury? If such modifications assist in off-roading or farm activities, then why are these vehicles not restricted as are tractors and other farm implements? It is inconceivable to me that such modifications can be considered street legal or in any way safe.

A: As we’ve seen before, and I’m sure we’ll see again, street-legal and safe are often related, but not always equivalent. Some of those jacked up trucks may be legal, but many of them are not. You’re right about the potential for damage and injury from mismatched bumper heights. And raising (or lowering) a vehicle causes more problems than just bumper issues. We’ll look at the risks and the rules related to modified vehicle heights. Continue reading “Jacked Up – Is It Worth The Risk?”

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How to Cross The Street Around a Bus

Q: What are the rules for crossing the street after getting off a bus? Should I cross in front of the bus or behind it?

A : If there is a rule in our state law that applies exclusively to this situation, I haven’t seen it. But there are laws about crossing the street, and in the case of crossing the street after getting off a bus, there is one specific sentence in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) that is useful in this scenario. Continue reading “How to Cross The Street Around a Bus”

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Is The Right Lane Always The Right Lane?

Q: My friend and I have a disagreement. On a 3 lane highway with very light traffic, which lane should a 60 mph driver choose? I say the far right. My friend says the middle. My reasoning is because if I’m going 65 mph and need to pass the middle lane driver, I am required to pass on the left. Meanwhile, the right lane is wide open and it’s discourteous for the 60 mph car to be camping out in the middle lane. Slower traffic keep right, correct? My friend says the middle lane is a thru lane and if you’re going the speed limit, it’s fine to be there. The second part to this question: There is a 60 mph car in the middle lane. I am going 65 mph in the right lane. Do I pass him on the right? Or should I pass on the far left?

A: First of all, if 60 mph is the speed limit, why are you openly admitting to speeding in a question to a traffic safety guy? I’ll do my best to set that aside for a moment to answer the question. Continue reading “Is The Right Lane Always The Right Lane?”

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Illegal Parking at an Imaginary Address

Q: I received a parking ticket on a private road, at an address that does not exist. Is this arguable before a judge?

A: We are fortunate to have a justice system that allows us to appeal our case to a judge, so technically, yes, you could argue before a judge if you so choose. I think though, the real question is, “Could I beat this ticket in court?” On that question you have reason to be less optimistic. We’ll deal with this question in two parts; first the private road issue, and then the non-existent address. Continue reading “Illegal Parking at an Imaginary Address”

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Cyclists and “The Wave”

Q: I ride a bicycle and drive a car. While riding my bike in town, I confront the following situation on a regular basis: I am riding on a side street, come to an intersection, and stop at the stop sign. A well-intentioned driver on the main road will come to a stop, even though he is not facing a stop sign, and motion me to cross, even though I should wait until traffic has passed. Usually I cross, providing traffic from other directions has also stopped. I would like all motorists and bicyclists to follow the law; i.e. if the car has the right-of-way, then it should go. What is the appropriate way for me to handle this situation?

A: Like you, I both ride a bike and drive a car. Not at the same time, obviously. And like you, I’ve been in a similar situation – getting the “go ahead” wave from a driver who has stopped for me, even though I’m the one with the stop sign. I know people even experience it occasionally when driving a car. Continue reading “Cyclists and “The Wave””

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Drunk You – PSA

This PSA cleverly states the obvious, but in a way we don’t always think about; recognizing that Drunk You, while possibly quite fun, isn’t the best at decision-making. Like the narrator in the PSA says, you shouldn’t trust the version of you that created the macaroni taco to make a plan to get you home safe. Plus, I like a simple visual message and this PSA has that going on, with one basic continuous shot. Take a look: Continue reading “Drunk You – PSA”

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The Most Dangerous Way To Cross The Street

Q: In regards to a statement in a previous article about pedestrians crossing the street at unsafe locations, what is safe versus non-safe? I think a pedestrian crossing at any intersection is safe but some people think only marked crosswalks are safe.

A: The problem with the word ‘safe’ when talking about traffic is that it can misrepresent the risks, and lead us to believe that because we’ve chosen a ‘safe’ behavior a threat doesn’t exist. When people ask me about my job, my answer generally includes ‘traffic safety’. Maybe instead I should say that I work to make getting where you’re going less dangerous. Continue reading “The Most Dangerous Way To Cross The Street”

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Is it Illegal to Speed in a Car Commercial?

Q: Is it legal for a car manufacturer to show a car doing an illegal driving maneuver in a commercial?

A: It depends on which illegal driving maneuver you’re talking about. There is a law that prohibits the advertisement of speeding on public roads, but we’ll get to that in a moment. First I’d like to touch on a broader topic that your question brings up. It seems like there’s an arms race going on between car manufacturers, but instead of firepower, they’re competing on horsepower (which generally translates into speed). Continue reading “Is it Illegal to Speed in a Car Commercial?”

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Does a Crash Always Get You a Ticket?

Q: Why is it that you get a ticket from law enforcement if you get into an accident? To pay for them to come out? What if only one party called, shouldn’t that party get the ticket for requesting their service?

A: At a fundamental level, law enforcement officers write tickets at crashes because they see evidence of a traffic violation. The ticket isn’t a form of reimbursement to the agency for the time it takes to respond to the crash. Actually, a law enforcement agency receives only a tiny fraction of a traffic ticket. The rest gets assigned to other various state and local accounts. Continue reading “Does a Crash Always Get You a Ticket?”