A conversation with Seattle
Overnight, a commenter on a story about the violent crime rate in downtown Seattle changed the headline for everyone. In a follow-on story to the shooting of a Metro bus driver, the Times supported the Downtown Seattle Association’s contention that crime is getting worse, before noting that the data say no, same old, same old. Continue reading Just Like at Gawker, Commenter Rewrites Seattle Times Headline on Crime
Seattle police are, this morning, on the hunt for a woman who hit a 24-year-old man with her car, near the 9400 block of 11th Avenue Southwest in West Seattle. Police say it was intentional, and they know who she is. A little over a week ago, West Seattle Greenways co-founder Jake Vanderplas was also the victim of an intentional hit-and-run. Continue reading Will Road Rage in Sleepy West Seattle Fuel Drive for Street Safety?
Washington’s D+ subjects were roads and transit, even though, as the ASCE’s Shane Binder was quick to clarify, the state has very good track record in terms of safety — especially through its sustained reduction of highway fatalities — and a very good track record for accountability on its projects. Transit ridership, too, is far above the national average. Continue reading Civil Engineers Give Washington a “C” on Infrastructure Report Card
Since 2007, about 200 people per year have been killed statewide in “impaired ability” collisions. 213 people killed in 2007, 175 people buried in 2011. Generally, twice the number of total House members, for comparison. Continue reading Recent DUI Body Count Has State Legislature Reviving Stalled Bill
The Neighborhood Safe Streets bill is back, says KIRO Radio’s Kim Shepard, saying there’s a “big push” to get it voted on this legislative session. The bill would allow municipalities across the state to lower speed limits on city roads to as slow as 20 mph without commissioning expensive traffic studies. As the bill’s title indicates, the focus is on neighborhood pedestrian safety. Continue reading Legislature Taking Another Look at Safer, Slower Speeds on City Streets
The single most salient factor in a low rating, in Seattle, is age. 62 bridges are more than 60 years old, with a replacement cost that SDOT estimates at $1.5 billion. Another 20 middle-aged bridges are running short on time as well. But since 2007, the bridge maintenance budget — inadequate to begin with — has plunged by more than $400 million. Continue reading Seattle’s Worst Bridges are Part of $1.8-Billion Maintenance Backlog
“This is bunk. Where are all of these ‘dangerous speeders.’ Yes I have kids and am at the school many times during the week. I have been given many tickets by accidentally letting my speedometer drift up to 27 or 28.” Continue reading Seattle Speeders Give School Zone Cameras Something to Click About