Street Smarts: Safety first when stopping for pedestrians
Published 11:34 pm Sunday, November 15, 2009
Don Gardner of Arlington writes: There is only one marked sidewalk for pedestrians and bicycles along the south side of 172nd Street NE (Highway 531) west of I-5. The north side of the road has no shoulder, just a deep ditch. When I approach a pedestrian attempting to cross 172nd at 19th Avenue NE, I stop to let the pedestrians cross the street. I am one of only a few who will stop for pedestrians at this intersection, which is near Lakewood High School.
It seems to annoy drivers behind me, and the oncoming traffic will seldom stop. My actions seem to set a pedestrian up to be clipped by someone trying to pass me or by the nonyielding oncoming traffic. My understanding is that a vehicle is obligated to yield to a pedestrian at this intersection. There seems to be a difference of opinion, demonstrated by the actions of the majority of drivers.
People living along 172nd Street have mail- and paper boxes across the road and cross it every day. I stop for them, too, out of common courtesy and because I believe that I am abiding by the spirit of our current traffic laws.
If my interpretations are right, I would suggest signs be posted reminding vehicle traffic that pedestrians have a right of way at this and other intersections as well as in front of homes along 172nd Street NE.
John Tatum, traffic engineer for the city of Marysville, responds: Washington has some of the most courteous and considerate drivers I have ever seen. You are obviously one of them.
Washington code establishes crosswalks at all intersections and requires vehicles to stop for pedestrians (WAC 132E-16-040 Pedestrians — Right of Way).
You are legally required to stop for a pedestrian at an intersection, but not for one crossing to a mailbox across from their house. Drivers behind you may not legally pass you when you stop for a pedestrian at an intersection. This section of highway has double yellow striping throughout, so they may not legally pass you at any point.
The spirit of the law embodies safety even more than courtesy. I suggest that your decisions should: 1) obey the law by stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks (marked or unmarked); and 2) be mindful of both the safety of and courtesy to both the pedestrian in front of you and the drivers behind you. If stopping in an unexpected location creates a behavior behind you that is unsafe, does not create a safe condition for the pedestrian and is not required by law, it is not what the law had in mind.
Al Moser of Snohomish writes: Westbound on E. Marine View Drive in Everett, approaching the intersection at N. Broadway, they have a left turn arrow for northbound traffic merging onto Highway 529. There is a right-turn lane and arrow for turning into the old Weyerhaeuser site. There is no arrow designating the center lane as straight through to the waterfront. I travel this route several times a day and as you approach the intersection you travel up a slight rise and instantly must choose a lane.
The blank center lane causes confusion for people traveling for the first time to the Navy base or to companies on the waterfront. I know it seems logical that a straight arrow is not needed, but traffic does not always follow logical patterns.
Dongho Chang, traffic engineer for the city of Everett, responds: We will install the straight-through arrow when the weather allows the work. Thank you for the great suggestion.
E-mail Street Smarts at stsmarts@heraldnet.com.
