Displaying posts filed under

Seattle

May
27
2010

Edmonds Man’s Family Seeks $25 Million For Brain Injuries Suffered From Police Chase

Seattle PI Reports:
The family of an Edmonds man who was brain-damaged during a police foot chase in Belltown has filed a $25 million tort claim against the King County Sheriff’s Office.
Christopher Harris, 29, was knocked into a coma at the end of a May 10, 2009 pursuit in Belltown. Harris had inexplicably run from two [...]

Mar
5
2010

No Cell Phone Talking Or Texting For Teen Drivers in Washington State

Wednesday, the Washington State House passed a bill prohibiting teenage drivers from using a cell phone while driving.  This ban is a primary offense and includes talking and texting.  The penalty is a $124 fine.   The House did not pass the portion of the bill proposing to make it a primary offense for adult [...]

Jan
24
2010

Washington State Lawmakers Working to Make Cell Phone Distraction Primary Offense For Drivers

Currently Washington State drivers can be cited for talking on a cell phone or texting only if a police officer pulls them over for some other traffic violation (e.g., speeding, swerving, running a red light, no seat belt, etc.)
Citizens and public officials recognize the serious (and sometimes fatal) risks caused by drivers distracted by cell [...]

Jan
16
2010

Proposed Bill Would Lower Red Light Camera Fine

Washington State Senator Jim Kastama has proposed Bill 6410, which would reduce the fine for running a red light issued by a traffic camera from $124.00 to as low as $42.00.
Senator Kastama recognizes that the traffic camera law was created to safeguard the public but has quickly shifted to an egregious revenue-generator for cities.  Representative [...]

Jan
5
2010

Bellevue Adds Controversial Traffic Cameras

The City of Bellevue is adding two new traffic cameras that will automatically ticket drivers who run red lights at the intersections of 148th Avenue NE & Bel-Red Road and 148th Avenue NE & Main Street.
For the first 30 days, the cameras will just issue warnings to drivers who run red lights.  Then, starting February [...]

Nov
19
2009

Seattle Bicycle Commuters: Traffic Laws Apply

Biking originated as a recreational activity.  Over time in an increasingly congested region, many Puget Sound residents have adopted bicycling as a form of transportation to/from work.  The majority of bicyclist commuters abide by the Washington State bike laws, however, there are the few that do not and unfortunately inflict serious personal injury upon innocent [...]

Oct
19
2009

Special Rules for Vespas and Scooters In Seattle

Although they maneuver and fit in places that a bicycle can – vespas and scooters can not legally travel in the same places as bicycles do on roadways.  Seattle Municipal Code 11.53.190 provides one exception: vespas and scooters may enter a bike lane only when maneuvering a turn, and only after first yielding to bicyclists.
Which [...]

Sep
1
2009

Furlough Days For City of Seattle

Save, save, save.  Penny pinching continues and hits home on a local level.  In order to maintain a budget, the City of Seattle has imposed furlough days upon library workers.  Seattle Public Library branches are closed from September 1-8 to save $650,000.00  The City intends to save $20 million next year by requiring City workers, [...]

Aug
22
2009

Seattle votes against proposed $.20 grocery bag fee

Mirroring grocery stores in the EU that charge customers a nominal fee for plastic bags, Seattle residents proposed Referendum 1 that would charge customers $.20 for a plastic grocery bag.
However, tonight, we learned that the referendum was not supported by voters in the primary.
The plastics/oil industry spent $1.4 million to defeat the campaign.