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 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.
