MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle ending right turns on red at some intersections

Feb 12, 2015, 4:48 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2015, 1:35 pm

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced a new safety campaign aimed at eliminating traffic deaths and ser...

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced a new safety campaign aimed at eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries in the next 15 years. (Photo: City of Seattle)

(Photo: City of Seattle)

The city of Seattle is rolling out new safety improvements to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in the next 15 years.

The campaign, called Vision Zero, will eliminate turns on red lights and dual turn lanes, and change signals to give walkers a head start at 10 dangerous intersections.

Speed limits will be reduced to 25 mph in the downtown core and to 20 mph on residential streets in up to 10 areas near parks and schools with histories of collisions.

The city will also install radar speed signs, enhanced street signs, and speed reductions at arterials – like Rainier Avenue S, 35th Avenue SW, Fauntleroy Way SW and 5th Avenue NE, “where 90 percent of serious and fatal collisions occur,” according to the city.

In addition to 12 new cameras in six school zones, the city will add seven miles of protected bike lanes, 14 blocks of new sidewalk, and 40 crossing improvements.

Education and enforcement is also part of the initiative and the Seattle Police Department said it will use the same data-driven approach it uses to identify crime hotspots to address traffic collisions.

“Our officers are often the first responders to traffic incidents and we know that more can be done to increase traffic safety,” said Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole.

In 2014, the city said there were 3,449 injury collisions reported to SPD. Fifteen people died in traffic crashes, including five who were walking or riding a bike.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

5 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

6 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

7 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

8 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

9 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

12 hours ago

Seattle ending right turns on red at some intersections