The SunBreak » car

Glimpses: “Old SPD car”

Chelsea — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:00:33 +0000

We do not know how long this vintage ride has been on the force, but can vouch for its existence, as our trip through downtown yesterday happened upon it in this exact same spot. Thanks to +Russ for having a camera at the ready when his sighting occurred. See any other unique vehicles around town? … Continue reading →

What Kills More People in Washington State: Cars or Guns?

Michael van Baker — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:21:37 +0000

I checked with Washington's Department of Health death statistics. For 2009, they list 597 firearm deaths, compared to 538 motor vehicle deaths. In 2010, 592 to 510. Oho! you may protest. Those firearm deaths include suicides: 462 suicides, in fact, to 113 homicides in 2010. It's true. But everyone killed by a gun is still a dead person.

The Surprising Truth About Bicycling in Seattle

Michael van Baker — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:00:12 +0000

Guess what the weather was like when 71 percent of all car-bicycle collisions took place? Clear or partly cloudy. Fourteen percent of collisions occurred when it was overcast. Only twelve percent when it was rainy. You just assume that the weather is bad, it's slippery, there'll be more accidents. But no. In Seattle, looking at the absolute numbers, high season for bicycle-related accidents for the past five years are the months May through September, with April and October as the shoulders.

King County Council to Okay $20 Congestion Reduction Charge

Michael van Baker — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:27:53 +0000

It's an unsettling sign of the times that the King County Council needed to think as hard as it did about approving a $20, two-year, car-licensing fee to forestall a 17 percent cut in Metro bus service. As mentioned earlier, that's a nickel a day to keep bus service going that carries over 340,000 people every day. People who can't afford that have other, more significant financial problems that have little to do with Metro funding and car tabs.