Hey Beacon Hill drivers: what’s the rush? I’ve been walking these streets for six years, enjoying the peaceful community, friendly neighbors, and quiet streets. Something changed lately… the streets are not as quiet. Â Maybe the construction traffic for Sound Transit slowed traffic on McClellan, and now people are back to their Speed Racer habits. Â It’s not just arterials, though. Â Folks are flying down side streets, too. Â My older dog and increasing belly are slow—is there some reason we should hurry?
Is your kid late enough to school that you need to rush a pregnant woman crossing 23rd? Did you forget to Tivo your soap opera, making it necessary to drive 40mph down 20th, narrowly avoiding parked cars and cats dashing across the street? Â Is there any reason you absolutely must turn right on red as that senior citizen loaded with groceries is making his way across Beacon?
Unless you have flashing lights to go on top of your car or are driving someone to the hospital—SLOW DOWN! Â Per SDOT: In Seattle, the speed limit on residential streets is 25 mph and 30 mph on arterial streets unless otherwise posted. Drivers are expected to know and obey the speed limit.
Pedestrians (and our pooches, strollers, toddlers) have right of way. Stop, look, and wait for pedestrians at intersections. Perhaps you could use that 20 seconds to meditate… or maybe you could hang up your cell phone, put down your sandwich, and remember that you’re in a metal cage capable of killing someone.
Other Andy Rooney editions that probably won’t be posted in the blog:
Why do teenagers text while crossing the road?
Is it too much to ask for people to pick up after their dogs?
You darn kids get off my lawn!