DOUG DAHL

December 9, 2021July 18, 2024

Sharing The Bike Lane With Walkers

Q: I live in an area where bikes lanes are present on both sides of the road, but there are no sidewalks. I was taught to always walk against car traffic. That also means walking against bike traffic. If I see a bike coming, I edge to my left to allow them to pass me on the right. I have had some experiences with bike riders not yielding any space, or worse, forcing me into the street. I have also seen a lot of walkers walking with traffic. What are the rules with regard to pedestrians and bicyclists using bike lanes in areas where there are no sidewalks? Also, what are the rules regarding pedestrian directionality with regard to traffic?

A: In the classic western movie High Noon, there’s an iconic scene moments before the villains arrive when Marshal Will Kane walks alone down the main street through Hadleyville, the sole person responsible for the safety of his town. Do you know which side of the road he walks down? It doesn’t matter, because the story takes place before cars and bicycles were invented. From a traffic safety perspective, we may long for those simpler times. In this modern era, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers sometimes share the same space, and there’s a clear imbalance in outcomes if it doesn’t all go well. Of course, in those simpler times we didn’t have penicillin and the average life expectancy was 42, so there are some tradeoffs.

December 2, 2021July 18, 2024

We’re All Part Of The Impaired Driving Solution

This week I’m turning things around a bit. Usually you ask the questions, but this time I’m going to do it. Or more accurately, I’m going to repeat a question that Washington Traffic Safety Commission asked: “What have you done to stop someone from driving drunk or high?” Folks responded, and their answers are worth sharing.

Maybe you’ve been in a situation where an impaired person intended to drive and you knew it was up to you to make sure they didn’t. In that moment you might have felt like you were out there on your own. I hope that after you’re done reading this you’ll know that you’re not. These stories (and actual research data) show that when you prevent impaired driving, you’re part of a team that includes a lot of us. How many? A survey of Washington drivers found that 80 percent of people in a situation to intervene have taken action to stop someone from driving impaired. Here are a few of their stories.

November 24, 2021July 18, 2024

Stopping For Pedestrians: You Should Do It.

Q: I frequently see vehicles stop in moving traffic to allow pedestrians to cross outside a crosswalk. I know they are just being courteous but doesn’t that create a more dangerous situation for the pedestrian? Can you advise us on the rules of crossing and when it’s appropriate, if ever, to go outside them?

A: From the context of your question, I think we’re talking here about pedestrians crossing the street mid-block, but there’s also the possibility that there’s a misunderstanding about crosswalks, so let’s address that first. Some folks might think a crosswalk is created by painting white stripes at an intersection. Actually though, the crosswalk was there before any paint was sprayed. A crosswalk is the ten foot wide strip that connects the corners of an intersection, whether it’s been marked by paint or not.

November 18, 2021July 18, 2024

Towing in Ice and Snow

Q: What are the rules for towing a trailer over the pass when there’s snow or ice on the roads? And beyond the rules what advice can you give? I suspect the real concern is trailers on ice, since they may not want to follow the tow vehicle.

A: I just checked mountain pass conditions on DOT’s website, and now is a good time to be talking about this. Before we get to the rules though, I have one question for anyone about to tow a trailer over a pass with winter conditions: Do you really have to make that trip right now?

November 11, 2021July 18, 2024

Turn Signals In Dedicated Turn Lanes

Q: Using turn signals to signal a turn or lane change is required. But what if the vehicle is in a dedicated turn lane? While using a turn signal might add a small degree of safety, what is required?

A: I can see the logic here. If you’re in a lane where your only option is to make a turn, your vehicle position is as much an indication to other drivers of your intention to turn as your turn signal. I’d argue (and I will later) that you should signal because it’s helpful, but you asked what the law requires, so we’ll start there.

November 4, 2021July 18, 2024

Headlights, Taillights, Turn ‘Em On

Q: I have questions about lights. For years cars and trucks have been made with a third/center stop light. I see many vehicles on which this light no longer is working. Is this legal? Also, most newer cars come with daytime running lights. Are there any requirements to have these on?

A: The internet believes that the third brake light was invented by a San Francisco cab driver who had been rear-ended twelve times. He wired an extra brake light into his rear window and was never rear-ended again. There’s no actual evidence supporting that story, but there is a bit of overlap with the truth.

October 28, 2021July 18, 2024

Two Rights Aren’t Always Right

Q: When there is an intersection with two right turn lanes, are both lanes allowed to turn right on red after stopping? And can drivers change lanes during the turn when both lanes are going the same direction? In my experience, the drivers changing lanes toward the left as they turn are completely oblivious to the other right-turning lane.

A: There’s nothing stopping anyone from getting the Taco Bell logo permanently tattooed on their body, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. To the seventeen people with Taco Bell tattoos, no judgment here; I respect your commitment. My point here is that there are plenty of things we are allowed to do that, for good reason, we choose not to do, and this includes how we drive.

October 21, 2021July 18, 2024

When and How to Slow Down and Move Over

Q: I know there’s a law about slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles, but can you explain what that means? Do I slow down and move over, or is it one or the other? And what constitutes an emergency vehicle? Is it just the ones that come when you call 911 or anything with flashing lights on top? Help me out here.

A: The “Slow Down, Move Over” law is one of those rules that seems clear just from the name, but when you actually think about it, you realize it’s not as obvious as you first thought. The law in the Revised Code of Washington is titled (in part) “Emergency or work zones,” so let’s start by defining that. An emergency or work zone is the area 200 feet before and after an emergency or work vehicle. Easy enough.

October 14, 2021July 18, 2024

Getting Rid Of Roadside Junk

Q: Who determines when freeway shoulders get cleaned? I see debris including broken bikes, mattresses and tires, not to mention lots of small litter and detritus along my commute each day.

A: Maybe the best place to start is by acknowledging the magnitude of the problem. Every year the Department of Transportation (DOT) spends over four million dollars cleaning up over 3000 tons of debris and litter on state highways. Now add on more than 2000 tons and additional cost for all the work done on county and city roads. That’s over 10 million pounds of garbage picked up from our roadways in just one year. Highways don’t litter themselves. This is a human behavior problem that we spend millions of our own dollars on every year.

October 7, 2021July 18, 2024

White Canes, Guide Dogs and Safe Driving

Q: If I’m driving and I see someone at an intersection with a white cane or a guide dog, is there anything I should do differently than when I encounter any other pedestrian?

A: I can show you the law, but I’m no expert on this topic, so I talked with someone who has experienced first-hand what it’s like to cross a street without vision. Jim Turri is with the Washington Council of the Blind, and is himself blind. All the good parts of this article are thanks to him. The first thing he told me is excellent advice for drivers approaching a pedestrian who is vision impaired or blind, and for any other pedestrians too: Slow down. Yes, the original question asked what you should do differently, so I’ll change it to slow down more.