Posts

Posted on

When Speed Becomes Reckless

Q: I’ve heard that if you drive at twice the speed limit instead of getting a speeding ticket you’ll get arrested. Is that true?

A: While driving at double the speed limit is bound to get you in some trouble, I’m not aware of any equation, at least in Washington, that automatically moves a speeder from infraction territory to a crime. That’s not to say that you can’t get arrested for speeding; just that there isn’t a pre-set threshold. It’s actually more complicated than that.

Continue reading “When Speed Becomes Reckless”
Posted on

When The Robots Take Over

Q: From everything I’ve read in the news about autonomous cars, I don’t want one. I’d rather drive myself than give that control to a car. Why is everyone so excited about autonomous cars when people are getting killed in them?

A: What if I told you people aren’t actually being killed by autonomous vehicles? You might respond with any of the following: “Are you forgetting the Uber crash in Arizona that killed a pedestrian? The Tesla crash in Florida that killed its driver? The Tesla crash in California that killed its driver? The other two Tesla crashes in Florida that killed their drivers?”

Continue reading “When The Robots Take Over”
Posted on

Traffic Safety By The Numbers

If you’re not one of those people who each year waits with anticipation for the federal government to release traffic crash data, you might not have seen the 2018 numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). And that’s what I’m here for. In case you’re in a big hurry, but also want to know about the state of traffic crashes in America, here’s a summary: If you’re in a car things got slightly better; if you’re walking things got worse.

Continue reading “Traffic Safety By The Numbers”
Posted on

Skateboards Are Not The Problem (We Are)

Q: How are they going to reduce accidents to zero when they don’t stop skateboarding period? There should be laws in place to stop people from riding skateboards either on the road or on sidewalks. I have been hit by somebody’s skateboard on the sidewalk while walking my dog, and my dog has been hit by skateboarders. Skate parks should by the only place you can ride a skateboard. It should be required by law that if a person wants to be skateboarding in the road then they need a driver’s license, license plates, registration, and insurance on the skateboard. Could that become a law?

A: Before we tackle the possibility of changing the laws about skateboards, let’s first review what the laws are now. Yes, I’m putting off dealing with the hard part, but it’s also good to start with what we know. According to Washington State law, a skateboarder is a pedestrian. It might not fit your (or the dictionary’s) definition, but our law includes, in addition to the normally understood meaning, any person who is using “a means of conveyance propelled by human power other than a bicycle.” Skateboards, kick scooters, roller blades, wheelchairs; using any of them qualifies you as a pedestrian.

Continue reading “Skateboards Are Not The Problem (We Are)”
Posted on

What’s the Point of Fenders if They Don’t Cover Your Tires?

Q: Is anything being done about trucks with tires that stick out past their fenders? I’m pretty sure that’s not legal. Why are people allowed to do that?

A: It’s not that the law allows people to drive around with tires that project past their fenders; it’s that some people chose to do it anyway. Washington law is clear about the need for fenders and mud flaps. There are actually two laws that address the issue. The Revised Code of Washington states that, “no person may operate any motor vehicle . . . that is not equipped with fenders, covers, flaps or splash aprons . . .” It goes on to state that fenders and mud flaps must be as wide as the tires and extend to at least the center of the axle.

Continue reading “What’s the Point of Fenders if They Don’t Cover Your Tires?”
Posted on

World Day of Remembrance 2019

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is commemorated to remember the many people killed and injured on our roads, together with their families, friends and many others who are also affected.  It is also a day on which we thank the emergency services and reflect on the tremendous burden and cost of this daily continuing disaster to families and communities, and on ways to halt it. Our remembrance ceremony will include stories from emergency responders and a family member of a victim of a traffic crash, along with a memorial walk to honor the victims of traffic crashes in Whatcom County.

Continue reading “World Day of Remembrance 2019”
Posted on

Stopping To Be Nice or Stopping To Be Safe (Is It The Same?)

Q: I have seen drivers stop at an “unlighted” cross walk and direct pedestrians standing on the curb to cross in front of them, oblivious of the cars behind them or along side of them (In my opinion, creating a deadly hazard). Is the driver acting safely and shouldn’t the pedestrians wave the driver to pass?

A: I’ve been a pedestrian for most of my life (an obvious statement), but in the last year I’ve experienced a new pedestrian phenomenon I’ll call “the stroller exception.” About a year ago I became a grandfather, and now on frequent occasions I get to go on walks with my granddaughter, pushing her in her stroller. Often when we are headed toward a crosswalk a driver will stop for us even if the driver doesn’t have a stop sign and we aren’t even close to the edge of the road yet. That’s an experience I don’t get when I’m walking by myself.

Continue reading “Stopping To Be Nice or Stopping To Be Safe (Is It The Same?)”
Posted on

DUI Checkpoints In Washington

Q: I know some other states, as well as British Columbia, use DUI checkpoints to catch drunk drivers. I’ve never seen them in Washington. Why not?

A: The answer you’ll most often hear as to why Washington doesn’t use DUI checkpoints (also called sobriety checkpoints) is that they’re unconstitutional. And that’s almost true. However, that’s not the whole story. I should first clarify that when we talk about DUI checkpoints being unconstitutional, we’re referring to the Washington State constitution. The US constitution doesn’t prohibit DUI checkpoints, unless you’re in Texas, where they prohibit checkpoints based on their interpretation of the US constitution. Some states have laws authorizing the use of DUI checkpoints, while others have no explicit statutory authority either endorsing or prohibiting them. Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia use DUI checkpoints.

Continue reading “DUI Checkpoints In Washington”
Posted on

How To Be In The Bike Lane (Or Any Other Lane)

Q: Is it okay for a cyclist to ride right on the edge of the bike lane although they have the whole bike lane to ride in? I understand that they might have to move for a second to either go around junk or glass in the bike lane but staying on the line is the question.

A: I’m going to take the liberty of interpreting your word “okay” several different ways. You might be able to come up with more meanings, but I came up with these: “Is it okay?” could mean “Is it legal?”, “Is it culturally acceptable?” and “Is it safe?” Let’s try to answer all three.

Continue reading “How To Be In The Bike Lane (Or Any Other Lane)”