Craig Talbot of Everett writes: If carpool lanes have posted signs that state “motorcycles OK,” why have I been hearing about motorcycles being ticketed for using carpool exits? Why the double standard?
Also, if a driver uses a carpool ramp alone prior to picking up or after dropping off carp
ool users, why are they subject to ticketing?
Is the intent of carpooling an effort to save fuel and reduce traffic? If the driver of the carpool lives farther than the dropoff at any given carpool exit, what is the point in traveling surface streets two or three miles to find an on-ramp beca
use the driver is alone?
This defeats the purpose of carpooling altogether!
Trooper Keith Leary of the State Patrol responds: First, motorcyclists are allowed to use all carpool lanes and ramps and may not be ticketed for doing so.
Second, drivers traveling alone have been known to cheat and use carpool ramps at park-and-ride lots as shortcuts.
The way the law is written, if a trooper or other police officer sees a single occupant in the carpool lane they face a $124 infraction.
We don’t know what each driver has done or is planning to do. We would like to take everyone’s word as being honest but some people will try to “work the system.” We realize many do tell the truth but those who have not in the past make it bad for those who do every day.
Alex Link of Lynnwood writes: I am curious if the (state) has looked at putting in a left turn light at the intersection of 128th Street SE and Third Avenue SE. New home construction on Third Avenue SE has created a new way for drivers to get to 128th Street SE, causing drivers turning west from Third Avenue to 128th Street SE to wait longer, and possibly have to wait for another cycle of the lights.
I also ask this question because of the new Swedish Hospital facility nearby. I can imagine more traffic on Third trying to get onto 128th. Has the (state) looked into this intersection?
Bronlea Mishler, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation, responds: Like Alex, we’ve also noticed the increased traffic on 128th Street SE (Highway 96) near Third Avenue. Now that the residential area north of 128th is complete and the Swedish Mill Creek Primary Care center south of 128th is now open, more traffic is trying to turn onto 128th from Third Avenue SE.
We completed a traffic study of this intersection about two weeks ago during the morning and evening rush hours and found that drivers were generally successful in turning left from Third to 128th without having to wait for a second light cycle. At this point, we don’t plan to install a left-turn signal, but we’ll continue to monitor the area to see if the need arises.
Studded tire deadline extended
It’s a sign of the type of winter … oops, I mean spring … that we’ve had.
First, the state’s deadline to remove studded tires was March 31, as it is every year. Then it was extended to April 7. Then it was April 14.
Now it’s April 25.
“Winter is not quite over in the mountains,” said Chris Christopher, director of maintenance operations for the Department of Transportation. “We have had close to 4 feet of snow in the mountains since April 1,” he said, adding that forecasts call for 1 to 2 feet more through the week of April 18.
Officials say the latest deadline extension is likely the last one for the year.
People with studded tires on their vehicles who don’t plan to travel over the mountain passes should go ahead and switch out their tires now, Christopher said.
State officials say they’re still concerned about safety and roadway damage caused by studded tires. They contribute to rutting on freeways and highways and require greater stopping distance than other tires when no snow or ice is present, according to the DOT.
Look for updates on our Street Smarts blog at www.heraldnet.com/streetsmarts.
E-mail us at stsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your city of residence.
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