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Ballard Bridge Crash

(23 posts)

Started 5 months ago by Champ
Latest reply from pixlpete

Champ

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SPD both North and West radio dispatched several officers to a reported head on crash on Ballard Bridge, Seattle Fire also in route.

Posted 5 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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Sending positive vibes and hoping for a healthy outcome for all those involved.

I have noticed with the heavy rain this week that some people have been driving foolishly. I have also seen and read about a decent amount of accidents which i also believe maybe weather related.

Posted 5 months ago #
gracie

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Heard it is multiple vehicles involved.
And Buffalo - you are right on the button about people driving foolishly in this weather. Last night I was in left turn lane at 24 & 65th NW. This truck going way too fast coming towards the intersection lost control, started weaving back/forth & I thought this is it. He's going to hit me head on. Thankfully he swerved & got semi-control of his truck. Thinking fast driving + maybe some liquid fortification + jerk driver. Scared the crap out of me.

Posted 5 months ago #
SmartsyArtsy

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I hope no one is in severe condition.

as for driving carelessly, what is going on with driving without one or both headlights after dark? My studio is only 1 mile away and the night before last I counted 3 cars without both headlights.

Posted 5 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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SA - I have been thinking the same thing recently with the am & pm commute being dark now.

Posted 5 months ago #
onederfullone

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Funny thing about headlights/taillights/brake lights/etc. It's really tough to know if they are not working unless somebody lets you know.

I make a point of pointing it out, even though it means I'll get flipped off...

Posted 5 months ago #
pixlpete

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It is easy to see how this kind of thing happens on bridges that are not divided by some kind of solid barrier, there is no shortage of crappy drivers that is for sure. I have witnessed simultaneous book reading/eating/elbow steering on I-5!

Off on a tangent, but am I only one freaked by the gigantic, Evel Knievel launch ramp on the South end of the Aurora bridge? Twice on my way to work I have had oncoming cars fly off that thing and lurch across the center line, near misses, it is terrifying. It was fun to motor through the 8" of standing water on the North end of the bridge on Monday.

Posted 5 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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pix - I was impressed during the morning commute yesterday by the father texting and driving with an infant in the back seat.

Poor Kid

Posted 5 months ago #
allisonw

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I find it odd how frequently people drive with their lights off after dark. It is not burned out headlights I am talking about.

It is probably time to quire at least running lights on all the time since so many people seem incapable of figuring this out on their own.

Posted 5 months ago #
pixlpete

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The worst thing my eyes have ever seen was a dog falling out of the back of a pickup truck on the lower level of the viaduct. There were two dogs, the second one jumped out after the first one fell out. I seriously wanted to kill the idiot.

Posted 5 months ago #
onederfullone

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"Evel Knievel launch ramp"

lol, now...that's something worth every tax dollar...

I'd suggest closing the bridge when folks want to use it ;-p

Posted 5 months ago #
bambooboy

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AllisonW -
at the risk of starting another biking thread (which I really don't want to do) I found the same thing the other day on the Burke Gilman trail. I was down town and heading back and I got on the trail and I couldn't believe how many bikers had no lights on front or back.
This is in pitch black conditions, no lights on the path, or very few. I'm kind of used to this with young riders and students, that seems to be their norm but I was surprised to see several club riders sporting full kits doing the same thing.

Posted 5 months ago #
great idea

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I thought most modern cars had headlights that went on automatically when the car came on (or at least a photocell to sense darkness).

If I'm not mistaken it's the law in Canada that your lights must always be on.
seems like a good idea we could adopt.

Posted 5 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

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bambooby

I saw a guy with no reflective gear the other day in the am when it was still dark jaywalking in front of traffic with his dogs. I am not going to lie about it but I only felt bad for the poor dogs.

Posted 5 months ago #
pixlpete

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I have a stupid ghost on my commute path too, 6:45 AM, right down the middle of the street (what is up with not running on the sidewalk?), black hat, black jacket, black pants, black shoes (with tiny reflective stripes), and of course black dog on a 25 foot black leash. Sheesh.

Sorry for going all "get offa my lawn", but I have to get my fill before Tday.

Posted 5 months ago #
SeaSpider

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I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds it odd how so many people in this town drive down the road at night blissfully unaware that their lights are off. I've lived in several cities across the US and never noticed this elsewhere but here in Seattle I can't drive two miles without seeing at least 3 cars driving with their lights off. I put this alongside not knowing how to yield at 4 way intersections on the list of "Simple concepts too difficult for Seattle drivers to comprehend".

As for foolish driving in the rain it's not just the people speeding. There are also the idiots who ride their brakes going downhill. Bad idea and great way to lose traction and cause your car to slide.

Posted 5 months ago #
Silver

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I understand that at Burning Man, people without lights on them after sundown are known as "darkwads."

Posted 5 months ago #
Pokerguy

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That bridge, along with the Aurora need a median. All it takes is someone to swerve a little bit to cause a potentially fatal accident. As others have mentions, people are very stupid when they drive.

Posted 5 months ago #
JM

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The Ballard Bridge accidents usually happen because the draw span is a steel grating. When it is wet, it becomes very slippery. New residents to the area are probably not aware of the phenomena and try to go 45-50 MPH. Same problem on the University Bridge, but drivers aren’t going as fast.

Posted 5 months ago #
bambooboy

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BuffaloHawk - I would probably feel the same way

Posted 5 months ago #
lifeisamazing

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The dogs in the back of the truck deserves it's own thread. Argh!!!
The way I feel for the dogs and about the guy goes without saying but I do want to say I'm so sorry. What a horrible thing to have forever in your memory.

Posted 5 months ago #
Ernie

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In the late 80's and early 90's I used to commute to Tukwila across the 1st Ave South bridge every day. The Ballard bridge pales in comparison. Steel decking, a reversible lane, and 60mph+ speeds lead to some truly horrific accidents.

Posted 5 months ago #
pixlpete

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Check out the Evel Knievel launch ramp tat.

Posted 5 months ago #