A Marysville reader wrote in about a situation on Highway 528, west of Highway 9. There, drivers often leave their blinkers on and cause confusion, so that cross-street traffic inadvertently pulls in front of them.
Cece Zimmerman noted the confusion started when a right-turn lane on Highway 528 at 83rd Avenue NE started allowing through traffic, a response to increased traffic volumes when the nearby Walmart complex went in at Highway 9.
Drivers move into the right lane, but then leave their turn signals on as they head through the intersection, Zimmerman noted.
“While sitting on 83rd waiting to take a right turn, it is easy to interrupt the driver’s intention… I have seen many cars pull out in front of the cars on 528,” she said. “Would it be a good idea to put a ‘no turn on red’ for those turning on 83rd, or make the lane on Highway 528 a right-turn only before the intersection?”
No changes are planned there.
But it is a good time for a driver’s education refresher, said Tom Pearce, a Washington State Department of Transportation spokesman.
“Drivers who move into the right lane of westbound SR 528 should turn off their signal immediately if they are going straight through the intersection,” Pearce said. “That said, one of the first things I learned in driver’s education was ‘never trust a turn signal.’ Drivers should always be certain a vehicle is turning before pulling out.”
Have a question for Street Smarts? Drop reporter Melissa Slager a line at streetsmarts@heraldnet.com or 425-339-3432.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
