Millions Invested in Improving Pedestrian Safety Near Seattle Schools

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on September 27, 2013

Seattle has recently collected more than $14 million from speed-enforcement cameras. According to a report by The Seattle Times, a proposal announced this month would use that money to make walking near schools safer. The City Council approved $2.9 million this year for roadway improvements and is considering approving $3.3 million this fall and another $8.6 million next year. Furthermore, the Road Safety Initiative would increase the number of speed-enforcement cameras in the city from four to 15. These cameras will be placed near schools to deter drivers from exceeding 20 mph before and after school.

Improvements currently under consideration by the city include:

• The construction of more sidewalks at Thurgood Marshall, John Rogers, Olympic View elementary schools, and at Nathan Hale High School.
• Curb bulbs and amber warning lights.
• Speed humps to slow vehicles near schools such as Roxhill Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr., and Bryant elementary schools.
• The installation of speed cameras near up to 23 schools including Dearborn Park and Eckstein Middle School.

No amount of government action can prevent all pedestrian accidents from occurring, but local residents should see many of these proposals as a step in the right direction. As Seattle attempts to implement these changes, make sure you remind your children to:

• Never step into traffic outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
• Always look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
• Continue to scan the roadway for traffic while crossing.
• Never dart into the roadway to pursue a ball or other object.
• Avoid roads where there are no sidewalks.
• If you have to walk on a roadway that does not have a sidewalk, face traffic and walk to the far left side of the street.
• Make eye contact with drivers while attempting to cross the road.

If a negligent driver has injured you or a loved one, please call Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. Our Seattle child pedestrian accident attorneys provide free case evaluations at (888) 228-3860. We will review your potential claim and help you understand your rights and options.