Writer upended covering the flood

Even transportation writers sometimes err and perform a Random Act of Safety.

Random Acts of Safety are actions of certain drivers who by being overly courteous or cautious actually create road hazards.

Regular readers may recall that Random Acts was an earlier topic of this column. Examples could include the freeway driver who comes to a near halt to let a merging car onto the freeway or the driver at a stop sign who waves at you to go even though it’s clearly his turn.

These behaviors create uncertainty, which can ratchet up to serious accidents.

At least that’s my theory.

Alas, now I must admit I recently pulled off one of these Random Acts.

I was out covering last week’s floods, when, by trying to be safe, I got myself, ahem, in some deep water.

I had arrived at Ben Howard Road just outside of Monroe. I heard it had been closed because of standing water. Herald photographer Julie Busch was with me.

It didn’t take long to find waves of water were indeed flowing over the road. I watched as other drivers chanced the crossing. I decided not to.

After all, my sources had been telling me that the vast majority of flood-related deaths occur when drivers try to cross flooded roads only to get washed into raging rivers.

I decided to be safe and had intended to turn around. But at that moment a truck decided to drive through, straight toward the photographer and me.

Busch hopped out to snap a picture, and I rushed to get out of the way of the oncoming truck.

In my haste, I didn’t realize the water had risen to the edge of the road, smoothly blending in so I couldn’t see the edge of the road or even if there was an edge.

Faster than I could say floatation device, my front right tire slid off the nonexistent shoulder, and my back left tire shot two feet up into the air.

Luckily for me, my car didn’t slide all the way into the water or, even worse, roll over.

While my rig was upended, I had several moments to wring my hands and wonder what was next. Then I remembered I had a rope. I dug it out and persuaded a passerby to use her big truck to pull me out. She was kind enough to help a transportation writer in distress.

Seattle Hill Road traffic

Question: The extension of 132nd Street SE to Highway 9 reduced some of the traffic on Seattle Hill Road but the sign to Snohomish still points toward Seattle Hill Road. A sign should be installed telling drivers to remain on 132nd Street SE to head for Snohomish. This would discourage drivers from using Seattle Hill Road and its dangerous curves. Also, would it be possible to put a weight limit on Seattle Hill Road to eliminate the bigger trucks? Still, too many accidents occur on that road. The trucks are also a great concern for the many bicyclists that use the road.

Barbara White, Snohomish

Answer: We will remove the two signs that direct drivers to Snohomish and Highway 9 using Seattle Hill Road. This will help reduce traffic. However, we can’t enact a weight limit to prohibit truck traffic, even though the Cathcart Way extension is a better route for trucks and cars. Seattle Hill Road is still a viable route option for trucks.

Dongho Chang, state transportation traffic engineer

Ask us about traffic

Have a question about traffic or street rules around Snohomish and Island counties? We can help find an answer. E-mail The Herald at stsmarts@ heraldnet.com.

Ask us about traffic

Have a question about traffic or street rules around Snohomish and Island counties? We can help find an answer. E-mail The Herald at stsmarts@ heraldnet.com.

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