During a recent two-week emphasis on pedestrian safety that focused on both education and enforcement, Edmonds police issued 133 warnings and 155 citations.
The most common violation? RCW 46.61.190 — otherwise known as failing to stop at a stop sign.
The effort, which ended Feb. 7, was focused on a five-block radius of 5th Avenue and Main Street, “a known area of resident concern,” Edmonds Police Sgt. Josh McClure said.
In the educational phase, officers spent time contacting pedestrians and nearby businesses and educating them on Washington State laws relating to pedestrians. “We also handed out informational fliers and had many great conversations with the public,” McClure said. “Many we spoke with were appreciative that we were spending some time intentionally focusing on pedestrian safety. Many of the businesses were also very thankful and asked for extra fliers that they could post at their business.”
As for those stop sign violations, “many drivers would approach the given intersection, slow down slightly until they perceived it to be clear, and then continue into the intersection,” McClure said. “Failing to come to a full stop creates a significant safety risk for all vehicles and pedestrians at that intersection. Several pedestrians were also stopped and warned for violations.”
What advice do police have for both pedestrians and motorists to stay safe? “The best thing that you can do is remain alert and avoid distractions,” McClure said. “Even pedestrians can put themselves in harm’s way by keeping eyes down on their phone instead of the intersection they are approaching. Drivers and pedestrians should all be stopping at intersections and making eye contact with each other before anyone moves forward. This simple task can not only avoid a possible ticket, but will also help increase the safety on our roadways.”
Thank you for what you are doing for pedestrian safety, especially with regards to stopping at the stop sign! I am a survivor of a car/pedestrian accident, and I NEVER, NEVER cross the street, especially at a corner with a stop sign without looking straight at the driver.
If you ever want to see ‘running the stop sign’ in action, come watch cars at 9th and Walnut Street!
Be safe out there!
You can add 12th and Edmonds to the list of stop signs which are ignored. We need to add “Hesitation is not a stop” to the Stop signs.
All true – but I would like to add that some responsibility lies with the pedestrian – am I the only one who has had to slam on the brakes when someone suddenly stepped out into a crosswalk without looking? Or seen people cross the street with their attention focused on their phone? Common sense and caution are needed on both sides!
“The best thing that you can do is remain alert and avoid distractions,” McClure said… Drivers and pedestrians should all be stopping at intersections and making eye contact with each other before anyone moves forward.”
Excellent, potentially life-saving advice!
All good points. For pedestrians do not ride a bicycle on the sidewalk and ride on a crosswalk, your speed is not of someone walking. If you want to live longer, do not wear dark clothing at night, especially if it is raining. Looking at your phone while crossing a street, do so at your own risk. My most trying experiance happened by the Art Spot where there is no stop sign heading down to the ferry. I was half way across in the crosswalk and a car drove right in front of me. The senior woman never saw me, even after I threw a glue bottle at the car, she did not hear it. She had tunnel vision. Did I mention that I had someone with me in a wheelchair?
Something I have noticed is that as a driver, when you come to a complete stop at the busier four ways, it typically leads to someone else stealing your turning. Does anyone else agree that the 9th and main four way needs to be replaced with a light or roundabout? The amount of times I see near accidents over there is ridiculous. Another point of confusion, for me at least, is the downtown roundabout. The entire purpose of a roundabout is to allow seamless flow of traffic. Having a four way AND a roundabout is redundant, and to be honest with you, causes a lot more confusion, especially as you don’t have a clear view of all the streets. I am not sure how you all feel, but I would far prefer being able to just yield to pedestrians and traffic in the circle, instead of frantically trying to figure out who arrived first.
The advice to make eye contact between pedestrian and driver is very difficult to implement, especially with the dark tinted windows on most cars.
I think it’s safe to say that not stopping at stop signs happens all over. Outside of downtown, where there are no sidewalks and vegetation is allowed to grow into the line-of -sight/street easements, vehicles not completely stopping increases the danger of hitting walkers. Also, I frequently observe pedestrians walking in the same direction as traffic. If there is no sidewalk, one should walk FACING traffic for safety (obviously it’s hard to make eye contact with your back toward an on-coming vehicle).
Our office is at the corner of Third and Dayton, where there is a 4 way stop. We can look out our windows at anytime and see vehicle after vehicle not bothering to stop. Maybe they slow down a little. If it weren’t so dangerous it would be funny. There have been a number of accidents there. Sometime a motorcycle patrol officer is there and tags someone, but that hardly fixes things.