Traffic Safety
Project to widen Highway 522 will mean delays
MONROE -- Two years from now, when work to improve the dangerous Highway 522 near Monroe is done, drivers should be heaving sighs of relief for more reasons than one.Not only will the highway be a safer, four-lane divided road, but all the roadwork will be finished, as well.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Local News
Police patrols to target drivers not wearing seatbelts
EVERETT -- Police are reminding people to buckle up.Officers from around Snohomish County plan to participate in the "Click It or Ticket" campaign looking for unbuckled drivers and passengers.
Date: 05/26/2012 | Local News
Reflective striping should ease intersection concerns
Mark Bowman of Stanwood writes: The intersection at Highway 531 and 45 Road in Lakewood, west of Smokey Point, has no illumination at night and it's hard to judge your turns. Could someone take a look at this intersection?
Date: 05/21/2012 | Street Smarts
Motorcycle officers compete in 3-day event at Tulalip
LYNNWOOD -- Lynnwood police are hosting the 30th anniversary of the North American Motor Officers Association Training Conference and Competition May 16 to 18 at the Tulalip Resort Casino.The three-day event is free and open to the public.
Date: 05/15/2012 | Local News
Technology helps make crosswalks safer, fairer
Rob Harrower of Everett writes: When crossing at some crosswalks with lights, can we get a 10 to 20 second head start for the pedestrian? This would provide a safer environment.
Date: 05/14/2012 | Street Smarts
Changes could ease I-405, I-5 merge
Erica Johnson of Everett writes: The merge from northbound I-405 to northbound I-5 is a nightmare. The weaving traffic is hideous and the exit at 164th Street SW is inadequate for what it handles.
Date: 05/07/2012 | Street Smarts
Arlington roundabout work to start this week
ARLINGTON -- Construction is set to begin this week on a roundabout at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 531, also known as 172nd Street NE.
Date: 05/07/2012 | Local News
State Patrol to teens: Texting, driving don’t mix
EVERETT --The season of teenage freedom is ahead, and that means more young drivers will be on the road.The Washington State Patrol wants to remind young folks and their families about the dangers of texting while driving, Sgt. Kirk Rudeen said.
Date: 05/05/2012 | Local News
Repaving helps avoid more costly roadwork
Chris Luscher of Everett writes: I'm wondering why Mukilteo Boulevard is being repaved.The asphalt that was replaced incrementally in recent years was in very good condition, and it seems that such a large expenditure is unnecessary.
Date: 04/30/2012 | Street Smarts
State plans 2 roundabouts for Highway 92 at L. Stevens
LAKE STEVENS -- The design work for two roundabouts on Highway 92 is well under way, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Date: 04/26/2012 | Local News
Adding another I-5 exit lane would be cost prohibitive
Margaret Bright of Lake Stevens writes: Would it be possible, and how much would it cost, to have two lanes exiting from northbound I-5 onto the eastbound U.S. 2 trestle?
Date: 04/23/2012 | Street Smarts
Lynnwood council poised to reconsider traffic cameras
Lynnwood officials now say it's time for the community to really discuss the city's revenue reliance on controversial traffic-enforcement cameras.
Date: 04/14/2012 | Need to Know
Female drivers more likely to hit the wrong pedal
LOS ANGELES -- Women are more likely than men to mistake the gas pedal for the brakes, according to federal safety regulators.
Date: 04/13/2012 | Nation & World
Roundabout nearly ready
Some in Sultan not convinced U.S. 2 circle was best option
Date: 04/13/2012 | Local News
Stopping wrong-way drivers no simple task
Gary Hayes of Silver Lake writes: I have been hearing more about people driving the wrong way on our highways. It made me think about the one-way spike strips that you used to see at the exit of the drive-in movies. Why can't those be installed part way down the off ramps to prevent wrong way...
Date: 04/02/2012 | Street Smarts
Syncing traffic signals no easy task
Ralph Gilcreest of Mukilteo writes: I'm bothered by unsynchronized traffic lights. Just think of what good could be done if the cities and counties could time their traffic lights to coordinate with the speed limit. There would be less idling time, which would save fuel and commute time. There...
Date: 03/26/2012 | Street Smarts
DUI patrols planned this weekend
Troopers remind those who plan to celebrate St. Patrick's Day to arrange for a safe ride home before the party.The Washington State Patrol and other police agencies plan to have extra patrols on the roads throughout the weekend, officials said.
Date: 03/16/2012 | Local News
Warnings raised about texting and driving
A national traffic-safety campaign will be available to teach teenagers about the dangers of texting and driving in Northwest Washington in 2013.
Date: 03/16/2012 | Local News
Monroe to take comments on roadwork, funding
MONROE -- Residents are invited to share their thoughts about creating a traffic benefit district to help fund street maintenance and projects at a meeting next month.
Date: 03/15/2012 | Local News
Monroe to appeal ruling on traffic camera initiative
MONROE -- The enforcement camera war wages on in Monroe.City officials decided Tuesday night to appeal a judge's ruling that they mishandled an initiative aimed at ending the city's traffic camera program.
Date: 03/07/2012 | Local News
Monroe waiting for attorney’s advice before responding to ruling on traffic cameras
MONROE -- City officials in Monroe have yet to decide how they'll respond to a judge's ruling that they mishandled an initiative regarding the use of traffic-enforcement cameras.
Date: 02/29/2012 | Local News
Extreme caution urged at crosswalks
Penny Page of Everett writes: I am expressing concern about pedestrians and the danger they are in when wearing dark clothing in our "dark weather."
Date: 02/20/2012 | Street Smarts
U.S. investigates door fires in 2007 Camrys, RAV4s
DETROIT — Federal safety regulators are investigating reports of fires in the driver's side doors of 2007 Toyota Camry sedans and RAV4 crossover SUVs.
Date: 02/11/2012 | Nation & World
Super Bowl DUI arrests down over last year
The Washington State Patrol keeps track of impaired-driving arrests throughout the year, but especially during holiday weekends.Every year, Super Bowl Sunday is known as a time when people tend to drink and get behind the wheel, trooper Keith Leary said.
Date: 02/08/2012 | Sirens
Lynnwood extends traffic camera contract through November
LYNNWOOD -- The cameras will keep rolling until November.Lynnwood officials now, though, can pull the plug at any time.
Date: 01/30/2012 | Local News
Monroe mayor says it’s unlikely traffic cameras will continue after contract expires
MONROE -- Monroe's mayor now says there is "zero" likelihood that the city will continue to use traffic-enforcement cameras after 2013.Meanwhile, officials already have quietly scaled back the program, which new numbers show has been losing money for months.
Date: 01/25/2012 | Local News
Monroe city officials to review future of red-light cameras
MONROE -- City officials expect to go behind closed doors Tuesday to talk with their lawyers about a recent ruling that appears to clear a path for another advisory vote on red-light cameras.
Date: 01/24/2012 | Local News
Roads remain a slushy mess for the evening commute
The Friday evening commute? In a word, slushy.A little warm rain helped break through the snow and ice in spots, but plenty of roadways remained slick and slippery.
Date: 01/20/2012 | Local News
Former Lynnwood official critical of city’s reliance on traffic camera revenue
LYNNWOOD -- Lynnwood started using traffic-enforcement cameras in 2007 for safety reasons, but that motive now provides "emotional and political cover" to justify an unhealthy reliance on ticket revenue, according to one former city leader.
Date: 01/20/2012 | Local News
Drivers warned to go slow, beware ice during evening commute
Transportation officials are advising evening commuters to watch out for black ice and slick conditions as temperatures drop and water and slush on the road freezes. Additionally, lighter than normal traffic did little to help warm up the roads and melt the snow that fell throughout the day, said...
Date: 01/18/2012 | Local News
Eyman aims to stop automated traffic enforcement
Tim Eyman versus the red-light camera companies.
Date: 01/18/2012 | Need to Know
Key links and things to keep in mind during the snowstorm
Weather conditions could change swiftly as the week wears on.School closures: For the most up-to-date information on school closures, visit www.schoolreport.org.
Date: 01/17/2012 | Local News
Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen defends traffic camera law she helped pass
OLYMPIA -- Seven years ago, Democratic Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen of Camano Island pushed for a bill that paved the way for use of red-light cameras in Washington.
Date: 01/17/2012 | Local News
Top traffic pet peeves
The things people do that really bug drivers most
Date: 01/16/2012 | Local News
New rail safeguards in Kelso where 3 died
KELSO -- Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway says automatic flashing lights and crossing gates have been installed at a rail crossing where three people died last March when a freight train struck their van.
Date: 01/05/2012 | Northwest
Work to begin on U.S. 2 roundabout near Sultan
SULTAN -- Construction of a roundabout aimed at reducing collisions is scheduled to begin today.Crews will start on the curbing of the roundabout, on U.S. 2 at the Rice Road intersection just east of Sultan.
Date: 01/03/2012 | Local News
Plan to drink this weekend? Plan ride home, too
State highways in Snohomish and Island counties saw a rash of fatal wrecks over the week around Christmas, and police are asking drivers to be careful as they celebrate the end of 2011.
Date: 12/31/2011 | Local News
Hydrant locations can make fighting fires on Highway 99 chaotic
EVERETT -- Along the stretch of Highway 99 between Everett and Lynnwood, even the tiniest wisps of smoke can make a mess of traffic.Piecemeal property development in the area means fire hydrant placement can be erratic.
Date: 12/31/2011 | Local News
Probe finds no ethical violations by Lynnwood police
LYNNWOOD -- An independent investigation of Lynnwood police has found that two members of the department didn't violate the city's ethics code in their email dealings earlier this year with the city's traffic enforcement...
Date: 12/28/2011 | Local News
Troopers clamp down on cell use by drivers
Washington State Patrol Trooper Keith Leary is used to spotting the glow.As he patrols highways in Snohomish County, he sees countless drivers using their cellphones illegally."It's a lot more obvious at night," he said. "It actually illuminates the side of their heads."
Date: 12/27/2011 | Local News
You better watch out: Police patroling for drunken drivers
Those readying for holiday parties, festive meals and family visits may neglect a key part of their plans: a safe ride home.This past weekend, Washington State Patrol troopers arrested 33 impaired drivers in Snohomish County alone, trooper Keith Leary said.
Date: 12/24/2011 | Local News
Edmonds council backs roundabout at Five Corners
EDMONDS -- The City Council took another step this week toward putting in a roundabout at the intersection known as Five Corners.
Date: 12/22/2011 | Local News
Steps you can take to stay safe driving in ice and snow
Get the blankets, snacks and cat litter ready.Winter weather already is making for icy roads and snowy mountain passes. Emergency crews are asking drivers to be careful.
Date: 12/22/2011 | Local News
Edmonds’ Five Corners intersection may get a roundabout
EDMONDS -- Ilana Evstatieva says she hates driving through the intersection at Five Corners.
Date: 12/20/2011 | Local News
Help for drivers in Monroe dodging potholes
Karen Hart of Sultan writes: I appreciate the long-needed widening project on Highway 522 near Monroe. However, I am very dismayed at the potholes that are rearing their ugly heads.
Date: 12/19/2011 | Local News
In Monroe, traffic-camera plans were transparent
I spent much of the summer sifting through giant stacks of public records regarding traffic-enforcement cameras.Some of those public records requests yielded documents rich with news stories.
Date: 12/16/2011 | Need to Know
Family asks to withdraw its part in damage claim in car crash
MARYSVILLE -- A family has asked to withdraw from a $70 million damage claim they helped bring against Snohomish County last week over an October traffic accident which seriously injured two teens, including their son, and killed a third.
Date: 12/13/2011 | Local News
Use of de-icer on roads defended
Paul Tounsend of Snohomish writes: The state puts de-icer on the roads through the passes in the winter. This liquid is very corrosive; it will rust out a truck in two to three years -- the brakes, exhaust system, drive lines, etc. It would be better to use sand.
Date: 12/12/2011 | Local News
Freeway exit lanes help flow of traffic
William Landert of Marysville writes: Why is it necessary to have dedicated right-hand exit lanes on the freeway? These lanes are a real pain.
Date: 11/28/2011 | Local News
Work to start on roundabout at Arlington intersection
ARLINGTON -- The state Department of Transportation is scheduled in the spring to start construction on a roundabout at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 531.Interwest Construction of Burlington is the winner of a $5 million contract to remodel the intersection.
Date: 11/25/2011 | Local News
North Cascades Highway closed for winter
OLYMPIA -- The Washington state Transportation Department has decided to close the North Cascades Highway for the winter.The 37-mile section of Highway 20 was temporarily shut down Nov. 15, and the department made it final on Monday with a prediction of heavy snow in the forecast.
Date: 11/21/2011 | Northwest
Snow in some form is coming
EVERETT -- Commuters could wake up to enough snow Friday morning to make the drive to work a little tricky.
Date: 11/18/2011 | Local News
AAA offers refresher course for senior drivers
People older than 65 are the fastest-growing population in the country, according to the American Automobile Association.The good news is that seniors generally practice safe driving skills. They buckle up and are less likely to speed or drive drunk, AAA says.
Date: 11/15/2011 | Life
$60K for Penny Creek
Safety improvements are coming to a school near Mill Creek
Date: 11/14/2011 | Local News
Probe continues of Lynnwood police in traffic camera case
LYNNWOOD -- City leaders must wait a little while longer to review the findings of a lawyer's investigation into the Lynnwood Police Department.
Date: 11/08/2011 | Local News
Sultan rejects proposal for traffic cameras
Traffic-enforcement cameras won't be coming to the city of Sultan.
Date: 11/07/2011 | Local News
You'll see (and feel) striping on 38 miles of rural roads
Drivers should soon have an easier time navigating rural roads in northern and eastern Snohomish County, thanks to a grant-funded project to provide more visible lane markings.
Date: 11/07/2011 | Local News
Willing drivers needed for traffic safety study
It's an easy $500, unless you're big on privacy.Either way, it could bring the satisfaction of taking part in what is being touted as the most comprehensive survey of driving habits ever undertaken.
Date: 11/06/2011 | Local News
Monroe says it may pull traffic cameras because of repeated errors on citations
MONROE -- The city of Monroe may move to terminate its contract for traffic-enforcement cameras, officials confirmed Friday.
Date: 11/04/2011 | Local News
Kitsap couple makes own traffic speed limit sign
Associated PressBREMERTON -- A Kitsap County couple fed up with speeders on their road between Seabeck and Bremerton has put up their own traffic sign.It's a 4-by-4 piece of plywood, lit up with Christmas tree lights, that reminds drivers of the 35 mph limit.
Date: 11/03/2011 | Northwest
Drivers and trick-or-treaters should follow these Halloween safety tips
The monsters might be crepe paper, but the hazards can be real.Halloween can be a dangerous night for parents, children and drivers, local safety experts warn.
Date: 10/29/2011 | Local News
Traffic cameras to get a 3-month extension in Lynnwood
LYNNWOOD -- The city of Lynnwood is extending its traffic-enforcement camera contract for three months.
Date: 10/25/2011 | Local News
Cities juggle traffic-camera controversies
Traffic-enforcement cameras continue to make news, in Snohomish County and elsewhere. Here's some of what you need to know:Decision looming in Lynnwood
Date: 10/21/2011 | Need to Know
Sultan joins traffic-camera debate with proposal for school zones
SULTAN -- The city of Sultan might test out speed- enforcement cameras in school zones.Some City Council members are exploring the idea, City Administrator Deborah Knight said. They're expected to decide in November if they want to take a proposal to a council vote.
Date: 10/17/2011 | Local News
With traffic camera contract expiring, Lynnwood council debate continues
LYNNWOOD -- Lynnwood's traffic-enforcement camera contract expires in a few weeks, but the talks about renewal might be on hold.
Date: 10/14/2011 | Local News
Teen driving safety class at Archbishop Murphy
EVERETT -- Archbishop Murphy High School is hosting a driving safety class for teens Saturday.
Date: 10/13/2011 | Local News
Emails intimate a Lynnwood city hall under siege
No one could accuse them of being flip-floppers.Public records requests recently brought us another batch of city of Lynnwood emails regarding traffic-enforcement cameras.
Date: 10/09/2011 | Need to Know
Pedestrian safety for students
With more walking to school, kids learn safety tips
Date: 10/06/2011 | Local News
Expert says Lynnwood traffic camera data is inconclusive
What to make of the recent news that the state Department of Transportation is taking a "wait and see" approach before endorsing red-light enforcement cameras as the ticket for traffic safety on state highways?
Date: 10/06/2011 | Need to Know
Ore. city decides against red light cameras
ROSEBURG, Ore. -- A Southern Oregon town decided at the 11th hour to reject red light cameras over fears that the cameras cause rear-end crashes and serve only as moneymakers for the city.
Date: 09/30/2011 | Northwest
Seattle's aging bridges need fixing
SEATTLE -- A number of concrete and steel bridges were built in Seattle in the 1930s, '40s and '50s -- each designed with a 60-year lifespan. The Seattle Transportation Department says 60 of the city's 137 bridges are more than 60 years old and would cost $1.1 billion to replace.
Date: 09/29/2011 | Northwest
Too little data to judge red-light cameras, DOT says
The state Department of Transportation isn't yet endorsing the safety benefits of traffic-enforcement cameras. Instead, a top state engineer says there simply isn't enough data.
Date: 09/28/2011 | Local News
Lynnwood may spend $10,000 on camera probe
The City of Lynnwood could spend up to $10,000 for an outside investigation into whether police officers had conflicts of interest in their dealings with...
Date: 09/26/2011 | Need to Know
Good news for Lynnwood cameras after some new math
Lynnwood's traffic enforcement-camera program got some positive press this week, and that may be justified -- once the picture is adjusted for reality.
Date: 09/24/2011 | Need to Know
Ramping up to better flow
I-5's new ramps at Lynnwood should mean less weaving
Date: 09/23/2011 | Local News
Nitrogen truck crashes on I-5 near Bellingham
BELLINGHAM -- A truck hauling liquid nitrogen crashed and overturned on Interstate 5 at Bellingham, spilling the chemical that then evaporated in an icy fog.
Date: 09/22/2011 | Northwest
Backers of camera ban in Monroe respond to city lawsuit
An initiative in Monroe to ban traffic enforcement cameras is valid because it's protected by both the state and federal constitutions, according to the lawyer defending it.
Date: 09/13/2011 | Need to Know
Curbs on youngest drivers may have bad side effect
CHICAGO -- Strong driver's license laws have led to fewer fatal crashes among 16-year-olds but with a disturbing side effect -- more fatal accidents among 18-year-olds, a nationwide study found.
Date: 09/13/2011 | Nation & World
Monroe expects conservative use of traffic-camera video
Aside from Lynnwood, Monroe is the only other city in Snohomish County using traffic-enforcement cameras.
Date: 09/07/2011 | Need to Know
Officials urge extra precaution while driving in school zones
It's time to slow down in school zones again.School is starting back up around Snohomish County, and that means children are back on the sidewalks and in crosswalks."The amount of traffic is going to increase," Mukilteo crime prevention officer Cheol Kang said.
Date: 09/06/2011 | Local News
Look both ways; it could save your life
A lot of people are ignoring advice from their mothers.Or maybe they never got the advice in the first place.One of the first things I learned growing up -- a long time ago -- is to look both ways when crossing the street.
Date: 09/05/2011 | Local News
Barriers on I-5 won’t bring a change in speed limit between Marysville and Smokey Point
John Hardy of Tulalip writes: Now that concrete barriers have been installed between the north and south lanes of I-5 between Marysville and Smokey Point, has there been any consideration to returning the speed limit to 70 mph?
Date: 08/29/2011 | Local News
Debate on traffic cameras' role in Lynnwood's finances
LYNNWOOD -- People in Lynnwood are finally starting to have an honest debate about the role that traffic cameras play in the city's shaky finances.
Date: 08/24/2011 | Local News
Hearing set on Monroe traffic camera initiative
MONROE -- A Sept. 21 hearing has been set for a legal showdown over whether Monroe voters will get a chance to weigh in on traffic-enforcement cameras.
Date: 08/24/2011 | Local News
Why are there doors in freeway noise barriers?
Julianna Opdahl, third grade, of Lake Stevens writes: Why are there doors in the noise barriers along the freeway? Where do they go?
Date: 08/22/2011 | Local News
Tool for investigations
Lynnwood cops request traffic camera images for other cases
Date: 08/21/2011 | Need to Know
A cop defends sock-puppet public relations
Before May, we'd never heard of Bill Kroske, then veep at Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions Inc.Now we can't get away from him.
Date: 08/20/2011 | Need to Know
Cops' jobs rely on traffic cams
Lynnwood police chief says department needs the cash
Date: 08/18/2011 | Local News
Traffic camera company loses suit in Bellingham to block city initiative
BELLINGHAM -- A judge's ruling Wednesday lets the Bellingham initiative restricting traffic-enforcement cameras proceed to the November ballot, but the camera company vowed to appeal.
Date: 08/17/2011 | Local News
Police plan extra DUI patrols through Labor Day
EVERETT -- The "Drive Hammered, Get Nailed" campaign kicks back up again this weekend.
Date: 08/17/2011 | Local News
Police issue 1,189 speeding tickets during extra patrols
EVERETT -- Extra speed patrols in the past few weeks led to 1,189 speeding tickets in Snohomish County.Police officers, sheriff's deputies and troopers from all over the county conducted the emphasis patrols between July 15 and Aug. 7.
Date: 08/16/2011 | Local News
Get your child's car seat checked
If you have a kid, you probably have a child safety seat in your car.Have you installed it correctly?It can be hard to tell.
Date: 08/15/2011 | Life
Headlights must comply with state laws
Richard Quint of Lake Stevens writes: I get tired of people blinding me with headlights that are more appropriate as landing lights on aircraft at 200 mph than on cars driving down the road at highway speeds or less.
Date: 08/08/2011 | Local News
Around the County
Arlington: Collecting supplies for kidsChurches and businesses are teaming up to fill backpacks with school supplies.The Back2School Rally is scheduled at 3 p.m. Aug. 28 at Presidents Elementary School, 505 E. Third Street.
Date: 08/08/2011 | Local News
Traffic camera company sought Mukilteo officials' help in filing lawsuit
MUKILTEO -- A former vice president for an Arizona-based traffic enforcement-camera company last year tried to enlist Mukilteo's mayor in finding somebody from the community "to use" in bringing a lawsuit that attempted to block a vote on an anti-camera initiative.
Date: 08/07/2011 | Local News
Judge rules against red-light camera firm in Bellingham
BELLINGHAM -- A Whatcom County Superior Court judge has denied a temporary request to keep a citywide initiative restricting traffic-enforcement cameras off the ballot.
Date: 08/04/2011 | Local News
Better access coming to Smokey Point area
Sharon Carlson of Tulalip writes: I have questioned why they don't put off-and-on ramps at 136th Street NE and I-5, just north of 116th, that would take a lot of traffic off of 116th.
Date: 08/01/2011 | Local News
Overheard on the police beat
Sketchy Herald tipster:“I wanted to call the cops, but I didn't have their number.”Medic 1: “What's the patient's status?Medic 2: “40s male, heart palpitations after rocking the ganj'.”
Date: 07/29/2011 | Sirens
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