Street safety has been a hot topic in the Pinehurst community, especially due to the opening of our new Hazel Wolf school but also in general. Now, Seattle has finally decided to do something about it.
Seattle City Council members and SDOT directory Scott Kubly are going to make an announcement about a change to Seattle’s speed limit policy at noon tomorrow.
The attached flyer doesn’t elaborate on the announcement, but according to Gordon Padelford, Policy Director of Seattle Neighbourhood Greenways, the new limits will be 20 MPH on non-arterials and 25 MPH on select arterials.
When: Tuesday, September 13, noon
Where: Horizon House, 900 University St., 98101
Here’s hoping that the Pinehurst Way / Roosevelt corridor running right by the Hazel Wolf school will be designated as a 25-MPH zone.
Perfect, now if we can get it enforced
That’s my concern, too. I hope they at least prioritize the residential streets around schools.
Anything to make cars unusable in the city!
In my opinion, the current speed limit of 25 mph (= 40 km/h) is way too fast for residential streets. The Seattle Times says it well.
“Traffic-collision studies show that a person struck at 20 mph has a 90 percent chance of survival, nearly twice as good as someone hit by a vehicle traveling 30 mph. Seat belts, air bags and other safety features have reduced driver injuries, but bicyclists and walkers aren’t shielded.”
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/city-could-reduce-downtown-residential-speed-limits/
I am with you, John. First we get “traffic calming” structures and single lanes which stack up traffic on 125th from Roosevelt to Lake City Way. Next traffic revisions and bike lanes on 15th. Building code variences which allowed the new school to build right against the minimum set back requirements. City and council KNEW this structure was a school, yet took few or little precaution on student and staff behalf. Don’ get me started on the mayor’s opinion that increased density of housing doesn’t need off street parking spaces any more. I have been to some of the meetings, but the city does not seem responsive to the attendees.
I have also long felt that 25 mph is too fast and 20 mph would be a better limit for residential streets. I support that change!
Cooler head this morning. Basically3 needsin the community of motorized vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists:
Awareness on everyone’s part to whats going on around them
Courtesy: paying attention and acting for the greatest good and traffc movement.
Make room forentering cars with in reason
Compliance: drivers follow the speed limits posted, notgoing 5,10,15 mph faster,
pedestrians looking at traffic rather than ipad when crossing streets/ intersections
Apology and chagrin at my rant.
Cyclistsfollowing rules of theroad, not popping on and off sidewalks,
awareness atintersections and eyecontact withimmediate viscinity travelers
I rail at further restrictions but we all. need to do better at following the laws.
Re the times article,slower impact definitely causes less harm, but the current limits ,followed and enforced, are in general pretty safe. Congested areas, and school zones, could be marked lower, but not everywhere please.
Cyclists
“the community of motorized vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.”
I would simply call it a community of people, not pedestrians or cyclists or drivers. We are all people, after all, who choose how to travel depending on their needs and preferences.
There’s data that suggests the lower speeds save lives without worsening the traffic: From Seattle Greenway’s Q&A page:
http://walkinginseattle.org/?p=3850
“If you’re going 30 MPH without any interruptions, a lowered speed limit of 25 MPH will add about 1 minute to your trip (the average car trip in Seattle is about 3.5 miles).”
If this helps reduce the number and severity of traffic-related injuries and deaths, I am all for the lower speed limits.