Bill aims to put the brakes on residential speeders

ThinkN-Do said on February 1, 2012 at 9:50 AM

After they lower the speed limit to 20mph, the talks will begin about outlawing vehicular traffic where traffic counts exceed road capacity. After all, if you cannot do the speed limit due to traffic congestion then the limit should be lowered right? If we are not moving at all, then what's the point of being in a vehicle that can get you there faster? On the other hand, if we were all on bicycles, foot or public transportation, then the traffic would still be moving. What is the answer to improving traffic flow? PS - This doesn't mean I approve of the lower speed limits for the reason(s) they are choosing; that issue is more about awareness education and using common sense when driving.

tootoo said on February 1, 2012 at 8:09 AM

@ianscofield Cyclists do get tickets, all the time. And just because a few cyclists break the law, doesn't mean they all do. It'd be like me saying, since I see a bunch of BMW drivers running stop signs, we should really clamp down and step up patrols on all BMWs

ThinkN-Do said on January 31, 2012 at 11:56 PM

Going along with the fatal accidents are 5x's greater at 40 than 30, I am sure there is also a similar logic (or not) with the speed limit being 20. In fact, I would guess that the fatality rate would drop to zero if the speed limit were zero! How incredible is that? Seriously, if people would pay attention to their driving rather than everything else they do while driving, the fatality rates would probably drop without lowering the speed limit. This goes for the bicycle riders and the pedestrians too; pay attention to your surroundings.

cluelessinseattl said on January 31, 2012 at 4:04 PM

Lowering the speed limit isn't going to stop people from speeding, it's just going to raise the amount that they can be fined. The only thing that's going to keep people from hitting pedestrians and bicyclists is to remove either the pedestrians and bicyclists or the vehicles from the roads. Don't be fooled. This isn't about safety, it's about money, the same as always.

gritz said on January 31, 2012 at 3:24 PM

New York City, which by the way has a lot more pedestrians. Has a campaign where they say the difference in speed and fatal accidents are five time greater at 40 mph than 30. So the speed limit in NYC is 30. They back that up with statictics that show their data. In Seattle we just pull something out of our A** and say this is the speed limit.

ianscofield said on January 31, 2012 at 2:43 PM

Ticketing bikes would be a great way to start with making the streets safer. I have almost been hit walking to school by bikers. Also when driving I have had bikers just cut right out in front of me. The next step would be to ticket speeders and those who run stop lights/signs. On my way to school every day there is more than one person who runs a stop sign, does not obey the minimum distance for a pedestrian to be away from you before turning, or people speeding. Not once have I sign a single one of these people ticketed. I have been tempted to call some of these people in to PD.

CrichSeattle said on January 31, 2012 at 2:19 PM

People can run all the red lights they want, and the police and government pretend that is not a safety issue? I haven't seen a ticket issued on the streets of Seattle for anything in 15 years. Bicycles aren't obeying any traffic rules at all, and they are applauded for saving the planet while the traffic just gets worse and worse. Mayor McGuinn has turned my short commute into a traffic nightmare. I can't wait for my chance to kick and his bike right out. License bikes and start writing tickets. We need to go back to some sort of order on our roads. If they want to collect some revenue, try enforcing the laws that are already on the books, and collect the unpaid tabs that are driving around in this city in brand new cars. It's not poor people who are refusing to license their cars; it's brand new BMWs and HYBRIDS. Governor Gregoire, I will not vote for a license fee increase until the police start ticketing the unpaid and un-renewed licenses on the roads now!

CrichSeattle said on January 31, 2012 at 2:08 PM

VOTE OUT MCGINN

Conseula said on January 31, 2012 at 1:40 PM

@jackwong..Do those using bicycles for work, recreation, etc. pay as much as cars do for their license tabs? If they use the roads daily, if they don't pay, they should pay equally as much as the car drivers?

erici said on January 31, 2012 at 1:36 PM

Forget about slowing down drivers from 25 to 20. That won't accomplish anything productive. If speeding really is a problem, then just enforce the existing laws. 25 is slow enough. My question is, how can we slow down the spending of government? That's a real problem. I guess we could implement spending limits! We could fine the bureaucrats that go over the limits we set. If they think speed limits will work on drivers, maybe the spending limits would work on them?

kitsapkommuter said on January 31, 2012 at 1:24 PM

Dear Chris Daniels, This article's headline is wrong. The bill is not about slowing down speeders, its about increasing the number of speeders by reclassifying anyone driving between 20 to 25 mph as a speeder. It should read "Bill aims to put the brakes on residential drivers."

zaxxon7469 said on January 31, 2012 at 1:16 PM

So municpalities will govern the speed limits for non-artilial streets. Ok, then what do you do for out of state driver who do not have this law and federaly reconize 25MPH as the limit. Also what about municipalites that do not go bananas and keep 25MPH. do the drivers from those places get dinged. Also, street signs. Ok Seattle ready to drop several hundred thousand on properly marking which are and which arn't 20MPH ways. Don't think you can be like Kirkland and not anounce the speed reduction, State law requires proper posting of limits and reduction in limits. Enforcement of speed laws. Ok, lets see some pro-car types sit down and video Bicyclists who do not follow the newly estabilsed speed limit and trafic laws. These video sent to request proper enforcement, as these bikers will be breaking standard moving violations that whould get you ticketed in a hart beat. ever do do 20ish on a packed queen anne residentual, be blown by a cylist, and he blows past a cop, with out a gln

Kim62 said on January 31, 2012 at 1:12 PM

Remember this is not just for Seattle. This would be for the entire state. And it is a very through and complete way to really increase revenue. Not much about safety, just a great new way to make more money.

Jake-518 said on January 31, 2012 at 1:07 PM

This is BS!! Why should the rest of us (drivers) be punished by speeders? Also, will the speed limit extend to bicyclists? Bicyclists can go pretty fast with their bikes.

tugthug said on January 31, 2012 at 1:02 PM

If our elected officials don't enact a law and everyone feels so strongly that bikes need to be regulated and taxed like cars then you should put a referendum on the ballot next election and let the people make the law themselves.

tugthug said on January 31, 2012 at 12:58 PM

They need to make a detector to detect JackWong.

magg1960 said on January 31, 2012 at 12:53 PM

I get frustrated with cyclists and fear for their safety. They don’t always follow the “rules of the road” and as a result put themselves in danger. Car verses Bicycle ???? Come on bicyclist for your own safety use common sense.

quiquine61 said on January 31, 2012 at 12:48 PM

Just take our cars why don't you? It is hard enough making ends meet in this city... One more way for Seattle to suck the blood out of those who work for a living! I have to avoid cyclists every morning going to work who think they are on a slalom run in the Olympics... Cyclists should also have a permit to be on the road!

norseman61 said on January 31, 2012 at 12:20 PM

Yes, It is a problem with cyclist NOT obeying the cycle rules of the road. Perhaps Seattle needs enacting a traffic rule imposing a bike tab(20.00). Then use those funds for improving bike safety. YES, ticket cyclist who disobey. I received a warning ticket driving to a ski area @45 mph 5 miles length. Officer (knew me) let me off if I showed him (later) how much time saved driving at mph vs 25mph for 5 miles. The ans was 6.0 minutes. Did 6 minutes make any difference? NO !!!!!! ( D=rt) or D/r=t remember UNITS?

firesoul said on January 31, 2012 at 12:10 PM

I've finally figured it out. "jackwong" is Mayor McSwindle's internet alias.

mitzi_liias32951 said on January 31, 2012 at 11:35 AM

There is nothing wrong with the current speed limits. This is just another attempt by the State to generate revenue and unfortunately it seems to once again fall on the vehicle drivers of the State. I'm really getting tired of them constantly trying to dig into my wallet. It's high time they start requiring all bicyclists that want to use the arterials we drivers pay for, to license their bikes and pay tabs yearly. That way, they can pay for their own bike lanes, improvements etc. and be ticketed just like the rest of us when they don't follow the laws. Think of all the revenue the City and State would gain. Maybe with that revenue, they could put Dexter back the way it was instead of the bottle-necked clusterf.. they have turned it in to.

ThinkN-Do said on January 31, 2012 at 11:14 AM

What a crock, all this will do is ruin more lives via taking money from people who already do not have enough to afford all of the necessities of life, Mr Gin needs to take a hike out of this state and our legislature is all a sorry bunch if they even think to approve this nonsense.

iowaboy said on January 31, 2012 at 10:51 AM

20 MPH? Sounds a revenue enhancement plan to me.

awol50 said on January 31, 2012 at 9:49 AM

Ka Ching! Does anyone think this is anything but another Olympia money grab?

useyourhead99 said on January 31, 2012 at 9:34 AM

Enhanced revenue is what this will be. I know McGinn, lets lower the speed limit to 5mph (vehicles only, bikes can do as they please) and move in the curbs so that all the lanes in Seattle are bike lanes. Do you honestly think that lowering the speed limit will slow down the people that are already speeding…McGinn’s motto should be punish the many for the deeds of the few.

gritz said on January 31, 2012 at 8:48 AM

I think this State should focus on two measures, Budget and Education. Once you figure those two, then lets tackle these slow pitched ideas. I for one am getting tired of how we allow these yahoos to spend most of their session dealing with these pet projects, then we pay for them in a extended special session so that they can come to a compromise (not a solution) on the one issue they need to, but never do fix, the budget. It’s like a game, let’s putz around for 90 days then right before we go on a month vacation, let's request a extension, full pay and per diem for another two weeks (Month vacation is too long anyway). The concept that in the beginning was the State legislature was to meet then go home and live with their constituents. That idea has long passed. For most, this is their only job and source of income. Yet, the concept that they pat their pockets and intensionally stall on time sensitive major issues in order to cash in on extra pay is ridiculous.They fool no one.

jpalla said on January 31, 2012 at 8:43 AM

A Majorityof these comments are correct the Police needs to enforce the Bike rules to many times I getcutoff bybikes just cutting in front of me and may I suggest that Bike lanes are crrently paid for from Car Tabs fees so I think that Bike should have a Bike plate in which the rider needs to renew yeartly at a fee of say $20.00 and my car was sideswiped by a bike in which his pedal scracked my door so make them have bike insurance. My point is if they want to use the rode then they should pay just like the car and truck drivers

underserf said on January 31, 2012 at 8:30 AM

Has NOTHING to do with "Liberals" - those goofs riding all over the place are ANYTHING but pro-gubmint. I'm so far Left I bumped into Right but there's nothing inherently Socialist about bicycles any more than buses or other alternate transit. What makes this junk TOTALITARIAN (I know, easier to say "Commie" but that don't make it so) is deliberately letting a favored group get away with paying NOTHING for the privileges they enjoy. Tho religion has enjoyed such a privilege for all of American history, transportation does not yet overlap faith (Critical Mass & hotrodders notwithstanding) so those who USE what is now a THIRD of most traffic lanes should pony up for the maintenance of their privilege. Sigh.This is about control and power - somehow a bunch of sweaty lawyers wrested control from the fat, TV watching & beer swilling, H4-driving majority. Take it back - if ya want it bad enuff...

priv62 said on January 31, 2012 at 8:01 AM

Motorists need to yield to pedestrians and be aware of their surroundings, of course. It has been my observation, however, that cyclists often disregard stop signs and seem to be oblivious to the autos that are part of their surroundings. I have had to slam on my brakes (and yes I was moving at or below the posted speed limit) on more than one occasion because a cyclist barreled through a crosswalk at about 20 or 25 mph without even looking to the right or to the left. Safety is a two way street ...

bloodsurf69 said on January 31, 2012 at 7:55 AM

We need to slow down so that we don't hit speeding bikes that blow stop signs and cut you off.

sonata said on January 31, 2012 at 7:54 AM

Pass BIKE laws, FIRST!

savvydude2003 said on January 31, 2012 at 7:45 AM

Another example of mother government dictating what is best for us. Idiot liberals are so convinced that they know best that they have to force others to do their will. Slow down you might hit someone on a bike. Well when the bikes are doing 10 miles an hour and they are side by side instead of in single file, they show their complete disdain for others. I have honked at them to get out of my way only to have them yell tough!!! They want to play with the big boys but do not follow the rules of the road. One being if 5 or more cars are backed up behind you, you pull over and let them pass.

seattleluvmonger said on January 31, 2012 at 7:40 AM

I am not saying cyclist are perfect...by all means we are not...but I find it highly Ironic that motorist are demanding we obey traffic laws....when Motorist commit the most infractions....all the bill does is give urban and rural cities the right to reduce speed without paying for a study first..Cities like Lynnwood, who write you a ticket for "speed walking" will develop this into a revenue generator more than from a traffic saftey measure....unless cities, counties have parked squad cars....I don't see this being enforced too much....Lord, knows that a cyclist dare not impede a motorist for that 1/1000th of a sec to get to their destination, but I certainly wish that folks stop comparing most law abiding commuting cyclist with those trendy fixie idiots Downtown and Capital Hill!!!

tootoo said on January 31, 2012 at 7:40 AM

@shellycantrell You need some punctuation/capitalization/grammar lessons, because that hurt my brain to read. But the whole plates on bikes things comes up all the time. I agree there's needs to be a system in place to hold bikers responsible if they break the law. But do you know how hard/expensive it would be to implement a plate system for bikes? What do you do for kids' bikes? What do you do for out of city/state bikes that are only in town for a day?

omgrofl said on January 31, 2012 at 7:34 AM

Yes, some drivers do drive too fast on residential streets. No law lowering the speed limit is going to stop them from doing it. Everybody's always in a hurry. As far as collisions between pedestrian's and cyclists is concerned, they need to obey the rules of the road. How many times have you encountered a cyclist running a red light or weaving between cars to get up to the intersection? How many times have you had to slam on your brakes or swerve because some idiot steps into the intersection before even looking to see if there's any cars coming? This is especially the case when pedestrian's are walking at night on a dark street wearing dark clothes. Just yesterday, I witnessed two cars needing to slam on their brakes because some idiot was crossing the street without looking. BUT, he was chatting on his cell phone so I guess he's excused because we ALL know that people talking on their cell phones while driving and/or walking are VERY attentive to their surroundings.

mrcrowley said on January 31, 2012 at 7:32 AM

Nice. You can see by the comments who the idiots who feel entitled to drive (most likely while texting and/or still using a handheld cell phone---always) over 25 MPH through residential areas. Bikers?? How about children, cats/dogs, or your pedestrian community members. I watch 75% of cars from my front window in the early morning---most are speeding and talking on a phone as they fly past my house.

shellycantrell said on January 31, 2012 at 7:28 AM

i totally agree with a few comments i have seen...these bikers also need to follow the rules of the road too...about 2 yrs. ago i was at a light it turned green so i started to my make left turn an this biker who was not wearing a helmet ran the red light an crashed into the side of my car an her and the bike went flying across my hood, it was so scary for me i knew i was in the right of way but it didn't make me feel better when i saw her land on my car...i didn't get in trouble or even get a ticket cause it was her fault. yes we need to share the road with others but lets make sure we are ALL following the rules of the road i also think to help those riding bikes on the road should also have to hve plates an tabs just like us drivers do !!!!!

Mingledchime said on January 31, 2012 at 6:42 AM

Bikers need to obey the laws of the road and drivers need to learn how to approach and pass through a non-regulated intersection - which is what most residential neighborhoods have. The driver on the right has the right away and all drivers need to slow down and approach with caution instead of zipping through without even slowing down as if it isn't even possible another driver may be approaching the same intersection at the same moment. Bikers also need to give motorists who are turning right a break. Bikers can clearly see the driver is turning right - signal is on and vehicle is jocked into position to turn - so no more of this stuff where bikers come up behind such a vehicle and pound on the trunk or fender and demand to be let by because they are going straight through the intersection. Zipping through traffic by playing dodge ball isn't going to endeare bikers to motorists either. And if a slow biker can move over to let vehicles pass, why not? It is simply being polite.

subaru said on January 31, 2012 at 6:05 AM

bikes want to be in the roads TAX them with tabs , Put plates on bikes.that way when they run a red light they will be ticketed also . Shoooot even a good to go pass for the ones that ride across the bridges. And the most important thing all bikes must have some sort of insurance it is not fair for a car driver to carry all the blame everytime .

subaru said on January 31, 2012 at 6:01 AM

30 25 20 15 mph does not matter a 3000lb suv or car will still dominate a bike in a crash

myopinion said on January 31, 2012 at 5:55 AM

Hey McShwinn, tell your biking buddies to obey traffic laws. Laws like staying in thier lane, not switching to back and forth from sidewalk to street. Stop at a a stop sign like the rest of us.

tandras said on January 31, 2012 at 4:24 AM

People driving cars need to be aware of who is around them and watch for bicyclists. On that note bicyclists also need to obey traffic laws, I am a delivery driver and often see them breaking the law. Many seem to think they own the road (not all). We have to share the road. For those of you that speed and are not paying attention to your surroundings start it can save a life especially a bikers. Also put down your cell phones the laws apply to everyone.

hewhoo said on January 31, 2012 at 3:13 AM

Add this bill to the other bills that avoid dealing with the $1Billion budget crisis....

rightsdefender said on January 31, 2012 at 2:13 AM

Our brilliant mayor and lawmakers should reduce the speed limit 3 miles per hour. That will cause people to walk everywhere, since it will be faster than driving a car. Have a great day!

jackwong said on January 31, 2012 at 1:56 AM

Kudos to the state house for doing this. As a avid biker myself, I rely on the roads to get to work everyday. I hate people who don't believe the roads needs to be shared, and we all have equal rights to it. State of WA should also ban radar detectors, which allows speeders to detect police equipment.

deone13358243312 said on January 31, 2012 at 1:48 AM

Before you make this into law -GET THE POLICE TO ENFORCE THE EXISTING LAWS! It is stupid to create laws that will barely or never be enforced because of the lack of enforcement and budget crunch which is being corruptly used by all levels -city, county, state and federal .dept. Those in government have so much more money than regular society that the government employees do not care about doing the right thing they are only for themselves and to hell with the rest. I would triple dog dare every government employee to take a large paycut to the level of the average employee and figure how to live on that without any ammenities available. Travel to work, we are to pay the high cost of that service where as government employees are given free rides. Medical benefits should be cut and the employees get their own insurance like everyone else. SO NO MORE LAWS UNTIL THE EXISTING ONES ARE 95% ENFORCED THEN THE BUDGET WILL PROVIDE A FULL POLICE FORCE AND SERVICES FOR ALL.

chiapetto said on January 31, 2012 at 1:45 AM

This is an idiotic idea, and one obviously with mayor mcginn behind it. The problem IS speeders, not speed limits. Local media have been using the example of the hit and run bicycle fatality recently as to why 20 mph is a good idea. Well the hit and run driver was going much faster than the posted limit. Why would anyone think that driver would have slowed to 20 mph if it were posted as that? All this law will do is add more to the congestion that seems to be mayor mcbozo's agenda; To do everything he can to make driving automobiles as difficult and impractical as possible. This bufoon will completely destroy the economy in Western Washington before he is run out of office.

intrepid1 said on January 31, 2012 at 1:27 AM

Many states actually set residential speed rates at much lower than this state, and they should be lower. Too many times I've seen people driving along roads lined with houses and parked cars, zipping along as if they're on a clear arterial as kids play in yards. Mandated lower speed limits is a good thing in these areas. If the state won't set the state-wide, which is probably shouldn't, then the state letting local municipalities set them makes sense. It's a public safety issue.

andyblue555 said on January 31, 2012 at 1:01 AM

Driving a safe speed is a good thing but NOT when McGinn and his disgusting war on cars is involved. He sees everyone behind the wheel as an income opportunity with his aggressive ticketing campaign is behind this. I am disgusted by this Mayor and his hand picked OPA director who has earned 700,000 these past few years hiding the fact that we had no police accountability. Do people realize that the civilian OPA reports to McGinn and the Seattle city council? They can not claim ignorance. They have defrauded an entire city while we pay the cost of investigations, lawsuits settlements and the cost of the prosecutor and defense for officers who abuse and violate rights. Millions and Millions lost and no one seems to care. Downtown businesses are suffering terribly as McGinn drives out people with his ever changing parking signs and parking meters. Not to mention his questionably timed red light cameras. I voted for him and I can not wait for him to be gone.

rite2post said on January 31, 2012 at 12:09 AM

The problem is speeders not speed limit. Put more police on the street is your answer to this problem not reducing speed limit.

rite2post said on January 31, 2012 at 12:07 AM

it's a way to steal more money. How are you slowing down speeders that are speeding? Just making an already nightmare commute even worse. Might as well make I-5 45mph.

Sir_Real said on January 30, 2012 at 11:56 PM

Doubt it.

Shaniqua said on January 30, 2012 at 11:56 PM

I think we all know that people will slow down when they lower the speed limit, right? Thes bozos in Olympia should worry more about this state's fiscal survival.