Queen Anne View today reported that The Seattle Times is tracking its potholes in the Queen Anne neighborhood. If you see a pothole, you can report it to the city either online or by phone (684-ROAD). Potholes are the cause of a variety of damage, ranging from flat tires, scrapped vehicle undersides, to collision and bicycle accidents. [...]
Jan
3
2011
3
2011
Nov
23
2010
23
2010
Seattle Winter Storm 2010: 200 Metro Buses Stranded
The Pacific Northwest’s arctic blast stranded at least 200 King County Metro buses. Metro has a fleet of 1,400. While Metro placed all routes on “Snow Routes,” equipping buses with chains and modified time schedules, accidents and stalls abounded. As a common carrier, Metro owes its passengers a heightened duty of care for safety. If you [...]
Sep
30
2010
30
2010
Seattle May Boot Your Car If You Have Unpaid Parking Tickets
City of Seattle is considering a potential cash-cow proposal to get drivers to pay unpaid parking tickets. Mayor McGinn wants to put immobilizing boots on vehicles owned by drivers who have four or more unpaid parking tickets. The boot cannot be removed until the driver makes good on the unpaid parking tickets. Mayor McGinn’s office says there are [...]
May
27
2010
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 [...]
Mar
5
2010
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
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 [...]
Jan
16
2010
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. [...]
Jan
5
2010
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 [...]
Nov
19
2009
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
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. [...]
