Seattlest: It's In The P-I...Much Later: The Return Of Honky McBeeperson

guest

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:02:15 -0800

Better driving probably could clear up I-5 south over the bridge to an extent, but the quick and popular merge across four lanes of traffic from 45th to the exit for 520 explains the bulk of the slowdown. Most people trying to get to 520 reach the far left lane at or a little before the apex; the reduction in lane changes accounts for higher speeds after that. Alex

guest

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:05:43 -0800

@COMTE: Well, after the apex, with a clear road, many drivers still choose to drive 40 - 50 mph (far under the limit) all the way to the downtown exits, regardless of traffic or what lane they are in, which seems to me to be the primary cause of congestion. Also, drivers entering at 45th/50th should match traffic speed (even despite the metered entrance), which is the easiest way to merge and move over through the lanes. However, they're often going way too slow, and either I have to slam on my brakes to avoid them, or they brake (incorrectly) when they find out they're not going fast enough, complicating things further. Seattle-ites are PA in general, I would say. My gf says the slowdown is likely due to laid-back Pac-NWs gazing at the beautiful lakes and skyline. I can't argue with that, it's so gorgeous here. Charles

COMTE

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:02:34 -0800

Seattle drivers aren't PA, it's just that with about 1/3 of the drivers currently on the roads driving like they're all still in the states from which they previously came, it's a veritable free-for-all out there, and we're just trying to avoid becoming road-kill at the expense of some jerk who just moved here from New Jersey or L.A. And the reason things break up at the apex of the U. Bridge Charles is because of the I-509 exit; a lot of drivers who get on the freeway at 50th or 45th have to cross all the way over four lanes to get to the ramp in less than half a mile, so it creates a choke-point.

TroyJMorris

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:08:29 -0800

My bartender was talking about this last night. I didn't realize it was with the same guy. Look, honking is stupid just as car drivers are stupid. I've been nearly hit many times as a pedestrian. Even by those who are so busy honking and glaring at the person who was waiting for me to legally cross the walk, and passed (illegally) and then was forced to slam on their brakes and yell at me. Needless to say, my keys met his car when I saw him parking it a few blocks away.

guest

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:59:37 -0800

Seattle police are generally finding better things to do than encourage the apathy of Seattle drivers. I guess we caught the officer at a weak moment. Charles doublerebel.com P.S. Anyone else ever noticed that the I-5 South bridge over the cut always seems to have bad traffic until you pass the apex, because Seattle-ites just drive slowly because they can't see ahead, and then once they can, no one speeds up to fill in the gaps? Drives me nuts. They'll back themselves up to Northgate. Thank goodness I live on this side of downtown from any bridges.]]>