No More Right Turns On Red In Downtown Seattle?

Drivers soon won’t be able to turn right on red lights at 10 intersections in downtown Seattle – part of a plan meant to protect pedestrians.

The changes will affect drivers on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues (see map below).

Norm Mah with the city’s Department of Transportation says that in the past three years there were 140 collisions between turning cars and pedestrians.

“Most pedestrian collisions occurred downtown,” Mah said. “While we’ve seen positive safety gains outside of the city center, we’ve seen an increase in the severity of collisions in the central business district. Specifically collisions involving speeding.”

The “no turn on red” signs are part of the city’s Vision Zero plan, aimed at eliminating traffic deaths by 2030.

Drivers who ignore the signs could get a $136 fine – more if their turn results in a collision.

The “no right on red” signs will be up by the end of this year.

Other parts of the Vision Zero plan to protect pedestrians include changes in walk/don’t walk signs and elimination of dual turn lanes.

Photo: Christmas shoppers crossing Fifth Avenue, Seattle, 1954, by IMLS Digital Collections & Content on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)