‘They just believe in common sense’: Gee and Ursula praise Bellevue’s crosswalk alerts that warn drivers by phone

KIRO hosts Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin welcomed Bellevue’s pilot program that sends crosswalk warnings to drivers’ phones, arguing that additional alerts could help protect pedestrians.

On “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, Gee contrasted Bellevue’s embrace of the technology with what he described as Seattle’s reluctance to use public-safety cameras.

“They just believe in common sense,” Gee said.

The crosswalk system is installed at 27 Bellevue locations. When someone presses a crossing button, drivers using a compatible smartphone app receive audible and visual warnings. University of Washington researchers are studying whether those alerts change driver behavior and improve safety, KING 5 reported. The city reported about 45 pedestrian-related crashes in 2025.

Crosswalk buttons trigger an additional warning

Ursula introduced the technology as another way to give drivers time to slow down, particularly when someone walking or biking is difficult to see.

In a KING 5 interview, Bellevue project manager Sam Novack explained that the city’s focus is now on how motorists respond.

“We know this technology works. The main question is, how do drivers react to it?” Novack told the media outlet.

The pilot uses the TravelSafely smartphone app and does not require a specially equipped vehicle, according to the City of Bellevue.

Novack also addressed privacy concerns in the interview, explaining that the system uses a phone’s GPS location to determine whether it is approaching a crossing.

“There’s no personal information being sent, and nothing is being saved. Once it goes, it’s gone,” Novack said.

Gee contrasts Bellevue with Seattle

Gee supported the pilot while acknowledging that some people might question the handling of location data.

He then criticized what he sees as a different attitude toward public-safety technology in Seattle.

“Look at where Bellevue is on technology, and look at where Seattle is,” Gee said.

He pointed to disputes over Seattle’s surveillance cameras, arguing that concerns about their use can prevent officials from obtaining information that could help explain public-safety incidents.

The pilot is still being studied, and there’s no data yet on whether it reduces crashes.

Ursula welcomes warnings behind the wheel

Ursula acknowledged that some drivers might find another beep annoying. But she argued that safety alerts in the newer car she has been driving have been helpful.

She described appreciating warnings about nearby vehicles and reminders to keep her eyes on the road.

“We have way too many distractions,” Ursula said.

Gee jokingly asked her to record a commute so listeners could hear how often the car intervenes. Ursula countered that knowing she was recording would make her more cautious.

The conversation then turned to rental cars that warn drivers they may be getting tired and suggest taking a break.

Gee admitted those reminders sometimes irritate him, even as he supported Bellevue’s effort to provide another warning at crosswalks.

For both Gee and Ursula, the pilot’s appeal was the possibility of giving drivers an extra opportunity to notice someone before a collision.

Watch the full discussion in the video above

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio.