Cut through solid-white lines and it could cost you $411

Lots of drivers in Snohomish County think crossing the solid painted lines marking freeway onramps and offramps is no big deal, Washington State Patrol troopers say.

Until they get a $411 ticket.

The triangular-shaped zones, called gore points, are designed to help traffic merge on and off a freeway safely, trooper Keith Leary said.

The painted gore points, which may get their name from a dressmaker’s term for a triangular cloth, are considered the same as a physical barrier under state traffic law. Crossing them not only is illegal and frustrating to other drivers, it’s also dangerous.

Crossing gore points is one of the leading causes for vehicle accidents in Washington state, Leary said.

Drivers cut across the lines to avoid traffic jams or when trying to make an exit they missed.

That’s what happened on March 1 when a woman driving a van on northbound I-5 in Marysville zipped across the gore point at the 88th Street NE. exit, striking a pickup. The crash bounced the pickup back onto the freeway, where it landed on its side, Leary said. Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt.

“This could have been a very bad accident,” he said.

Calling drivers’ attention to gore points could help avert another accident, he said.

Tire marks still could be seen on the ground several days later. Seat belts and a properly secured child car seat saved the occupants, including a toddler, Leary said.

Long gore points, like the one at 88th Street NE., are designed for a reason, state traffic engineer Ted Trepanier said. Drivers shouldn’t have to make any sharp maneuvers.

Lots of things are considered when designing a gore point, he explained. Longer gore points are used where the angle between the ramp and the freeway is sharp, and in areas with heavy traffic.

Cars merging onto a freeway need time to get up to speed with the rest of the traffic, he said.

Drivers who cause an accident by crossing a gore point can be cited for negligent driving and handed a $411 fine for crossing a physical barrier, Leary said. If the drivers don’t cause a crash, they can be cited for improper lane travel and unsafe lane change, which carry smaller fines.

In Snohomish County last year troopers stopped more than 8,000 drivers for unsafe lane travel or change and for crossing a physical barrier, Leary said. The figure includes different types of violations, but many of them involved crossing a gore point.

The exit to 88th Street NE. in Marysville is one of several spots in Snohomish County notorious for these violations, Leary said. Troopers recently cited two dozen drivers there in just one day.

Other problem spots include the onramp onto northbound I-5 from 41st Street in Everett and the southbound interchange from the Bothell-Everett Highway to I-405, Leary said. Southbound I-5 at Marysville also is a trouble zone, with back-to-back gore points handling drivers merging onto the freeway and exiting to Highway 529.

“This is a really bad place to cut through,” Leary said. “I don’t know how many wrecks we investigated here.”

Police take gore point violations seriously. They use marked and unmarked patrol cars and airplanes to spot violators.

“We don’t want to have to write tickets for that, but if we see that type of driving, chances are the driver is going to get the infraction,” Leary said.

Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.