Seattle speed limit changes for safer streets
The recent changes to the Seattle speed limit have been a long time coming, but are just an incremental step in a larger plan for safer streets. The process of setting speed limits for streets and highways is surprisingly complex. Maximum speeds are set by each state legislature, which must balance the interests of stakeholders...
Seattle speed limit changes for safer streets Continue reading…What you need to know about Washington State Crosswalk Law
One of the few bright spots in the COVID-19 pandemic: a decrease in motor vehicle traffic. As more people explored their cities and towns on foot, they may have noticed that our streets are primarily designed for cars—not for people. The real solution to that problem lies in city planning. As a lawyer, I can...
What you need to know about Washington State Crosswalk Law Continue reading…Washington State legal help and resources available during COVID-19 pandemic
The Washington State Bar Association created a full list of legal help, resources and information available during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are sharing the full version of their recent post, COVID-19 Legal Resources and Information for the Public so that our Coluccio Law clients and friends can access and share this valuable resource. Washington State...
Washington State legal help and resources available during COVID-19 pandemic Continue reading…New “cover your load” commercial truck law proposed for 2020
On February 22, 2004, Maria Federici was blinded and nearly killed by a piece of particle board that flew out of a rented trailer, struck her windshield and hit her in the face. The driver of the vehicle pulling the trailer had been moving all day, and failed to properly secure the particle board in...
New “cover your load” commercial truck law proposed for 2020 Continue reading…A fair fix to Washington State wrongful death law
Legal definition of wrongful death: “Wrongful death” is the legal term for an unnatural death, resulting from an injury or incident, caused by the bad conduct of another person or a company. In 2019, the Washington State House of Representatives passed a bill for a new wrongful death law by a vote of 61-37. The...
A fair fix to Washington State wrongful death law Continue reading…What you need to know about our pedestrian traffic laws
It seems straightforward: people usually have the right-of-way over motor vehicles. But most of our roadways were designed for the ease of cars, not the safety of pedestrians. As a result, drivers often forget—or simply disregard—the laws protecting the rights and safety of pedestrians. Washington pedestrian traffic laws Q: When do pedestrians have the right-of-way?...
What you need to know about our pedestrian traffic laws Continue reading…New Washington State distracted driving law: what you need to know
A decade ago, the Washington State distracted driving law was passed - and became one of the first state laws regulating drivers' cell phone use. Since then, mobile devices have changed dramatically—and distracted driving has become an even bigger problem. On May 16, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5389: a new, more...
New Washington State distracted driving law: what you need to know Continue reading…Do you think slow drivers in the left lane are dangerous?
We all know that the left lane is for passing only … so why is it so often misused? In Washington State, it’s against the law to drive continuously in the left lane. While it may not always seem like it, Washington state troopers do enforce this law. In 2015, police issued 14,000 citations for...
Do you think slow drivers in the left lane are dangerous? Continue reading…Lawmakers searching for practical solution to distracted driving
Distracted driving is a serious issue on the roadways of Washington, as well as across our country. There are basically 3 forms of distracted driving: visual, cognitive, and manual. Visual distraction occurs when the driver is looking at anything except the road, i.e. their cellphone. Cognitive distraction is when the driver's mind isn't on the...
Lawmakers searching for practical solution to distracted driving Continue reading…Why the Washington State speed limit (probably) isn’t going to change
A quick breakdown of our Washington state speed limits; remember, these are just guidelines—always pay attention to road signs. Unless there are signs stating otherwise, the default maximum speed limits are as follows. 60 mph on state highways; 50 mph on county roads; 25 mph on city and town streets. "State highways" means any roadway...
Why the Washington State speed limit (probably) isn’t going to change Continue reading…