More about slower drivers in the carpool lane
Published 11:18 pm Sunday, April 5, 2009
One of the answers in last week’s column set off a bit of controversy.
A reader had asked if, while driving the speed limit or even a little above it in the carpool lane, he should move over to let even faster traffic behind him go past.
State trooper Keith Leary quoted state law, which allows drivers to be cited for holding up traffic regardless of where they are traveling. The law doesn’t specify a speed, however, and some readers felt this didn’t adequately answer the question.
On follow-up with trooper Leary — who graciously took time on his vacation to clarify his answer — said the law leaves it up to the officer whether a driver should be cited for holding up traffic.
I gave him a hypothetical: If someone is driving 60 mph in the carpool lane and those coming up behind him are traveling 65 mph, would the driver going 60 mph be cited?
Probably not, trooper Leary said. Still, he added, “my suggestion would be to stay in the right lanes if they are that concerned.”
Q&A
Judy Stuart of Snohomish asks: I have noticed in the evening when driving on Seattle Hill Road (between Mill Creek and Snohomish) the lines are hardly visible. It’s even worse when it is raining. It’s not very safe for drivers who are not used to that road. Any idea when they are re-striping them?
Keep in mind that the portion of Seattle Hill Road north and east of 132nd Street SE is under the state’s jurisdiction.
Roy Scalf, county road maintenance director, responds: The heavy snow and ice we had in December took a toll on traffic markings, both raised pavement markers and paint stripe. Many markers, including reflectors, were removed by snowplows during December. Markers and paint stripes were scraped by plow blades and abraded by winter sand, tire chains and studded tires.
We will start up our pavement markings crews in mid-April. Weather permitting, we will replace markers and restripe roads at an aggressive pace during the months of April through mid-October. Our highest priorities will be the urban, high volume roads like Cathcart Way and Seattle Hill Road. My best guess at this time is that the work should be done sometime in May.
Mark Mahnkey of Everett asks: Westbound on Beverly Park Road at the Mukilteo Speedway, there are two left turn lanes. One has been coned off since they re-did the intersection. Traffic backs up in the afternoon, and requires up to four cycles of the light going westbound and turning south on the Speedway. Perhaps the cycle time would be fine if there were two lanes turning.
How about making the left turn light longer for westbound, or opening the second turn lane?
Owen Carter, Snohomish County deputy engineer, responds: To remove the cones and complete the improvements to allow a two-lane left turn and efficiently operate the intersection, the mast arm holding the signals has to be longer to properly align the signals with the lane. Because of the additional weight and force that this would add to the signal pole and foundation, Snohomish County has hired a consultant to design a new foundation. We are anticipating the improvements will be constructed this fall.
Natalie Dyer of Lynnwood asks: When northbound on I-5, taking the Marysville exit, there are two right turn lanes and one left turn lane. Can I take a free right from the center lane that turns right, on a red light?
State trooper Keith Leary responds: Both lanes may make the right turn on red. Along with this, pedestrians in the area may have the green crossing sign so it is most important to watch for pedestrians crossing both directions.
It is not OK to make a left turn from this center lane as some may think.
E-mail Street Smarts at stsmarts@heraldnet.com.
