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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Autos

Emerging pedestrians

When driveway shoveling gives way to lawn mowing, winter is over.  I just witnessed the latter taking place on my block yesterday, so it’s now official.

Amid that uptick in yard work, other things emerge besides tree buds and flower blooms.  There is also an outdoor emergence of people, many of them taking on the roles of pedestrians.  I’m not sure when a regular person becomes a pedestrian, but if they are within eyeshot of your vehicle, then I think that they are one.

During our recent warming trend and sun sightings, I’ve noticed runners and walkers everywhere I drive.  Many are astride kids, dogs and strollers.

Especially now, when pent-up demand for outside activity reveals itself, we should all be extra vigilant to sight and yield to pedestrians.  A high priority of attention must be afforded to children, who, due to youthful exuberance, may forget to use crosswalks.  And that kid who received a new bicycle for Christmas may not have mastered it yet.

Crosswalks are the expected place to find pedestrians, but it is incumbent upon motor vehicle operators to watch for and avoid running into people in any location.  Revised Code of Washington 46.61.245 is a “catch-all” intended to protect vulnerable pedestrians, noting:  “…every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any obviously confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway.”

Let them know

After discussions of the I-90 eastbound access ramp from U.S. 195 northbound, several readers asked how to contact the DOT.  The Washington State Department of Transportation Website is:  www.wsdot.wa.gov.  There, one will find a wealth of road news and information, along with links to maps and traffic cameras.

The DOT’s physical address is:  2714 N. Mayfair Street, Spokane, WA, 99207.  The Communications Manager is Al Gilson, who can be reached at 509 324-6015 and has been quite helpful whenever I have contacted him.

Don’t overload them with petty gripes, but questions/suggestions/alerts regarding problem traffic patterns, physical damage (road surface, signage, guard rails) and other transportation issues on our roadways can be directed to the WSDOT via the contact data shown above.

In fact, Al Gilson sent me an email explaining the history of the “short chute” at the north end of U.S. 195, and expounding on subsequent DOT studies and considerations regarding the site.  I’ll relay a selection of that information here next week, but in the meantime, here’s some foreshadowing:  The DOT knows how to reconfigure that I-90 access ramp for improved safety there, but the current price tag for doing so is approximately $170 million.  Anyone have it?

Alternate route

Many readers said they avoid that short ramp leading to I-90 eastbound altogether, and C.K. presented a route he self-described as “geezer friendly.”

His favorite bypass goes thusly, “Northbound on 195, one can turn left at the 16th Avenue level crossing (the last one before 195 meets I-90) and follow 16th westward as it curves northward into Lindeke Street.  25-MPH it along Lindeke to the four-way stop at 13th.  Stick with Lindeke as it bears left toward the railway overpasses.  Lindeke soars OVER I-90 (nyah! nyah!).  Arrive at the intersection of Government Way and Sunset Boulevard.  From here:  LEFT: Reardan and the Spokane International Airport.  RIGHT: Downtown.  AHEAD: Spokane Falls Community College, Riverside, NW Spokane.”

If you use it, please observe neighborhood speed limits.  C.K. is concerned about driving safely through those areas.

Stud removal

The deadline of March 31st to remove studded tires from one’s vehicle in Washington has passed.  Idaho gives drivers an extra month, until April 30th, and Montana allows them until May 31st.  Nevertheless, Washington State Troopers will pull over drivers still running studded tires beginning April 1st, potentially awarding expensive tickets.

Now that spring has sprung, road conditions (other than the stray pothole) should not be an issue for drivers.  But with the sudden emergence of extra vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles, safe driving requires still requires due vigilance and attention to the task.

Readers may contact Bill Love via e-mail at precisiondriving@spokesman.com.