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 [...]
Snow is falling in the Washington mountain passes. The seasonal changes in the Pacific Northwest always seem to result in a terrible series of crashes as drivers re-learn winter weather driving. While you should always be careful behind the wheel of a car, additional measures are necessary for winter crash prevention. Winter crash prevention Check [...]
Snow, freezing rain, and high winds are in the forecast for western Washington State this week. While that shouldn't come as a surprise - it's standard winter weather for most of the Pacific Northwest - there are always too many drivers who are caught off guard. The result is often a slew of predictable, often [...]
The University of Washington Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center conducted a study on distracted driving enforcement. Using focus groups of police officers from King County, Whatcom County, and Spokane County, researchers identified some common problems, including: distracted driving laws are difficult to enforce. The study participants proposed a solution. Laws should prohibit all forms [...]
At any giving time, a police officer could be responding to a call, checking the in-dash computer – and driving a car. Officers are trained to multitask behind the wheel, but how well does that work? Washington State Distracted Driving Simulator Washington State University in Spokane set up a distracted driving simulation for police officers. [...]
Last week, King County prosecutors filed charges against 56-year-old David G. Money for stealing from an elderly nursing home patient. The two met when Mr. Money picked her up as a fare a few years ago. Since then, the woman has written $164,000 in checks to Mr. Money, and another $90,000 in suspicious checks to [...]