WA 2nd worst state to drive in (Seattle, Everett: transplants, law)

[homesinseattle]

Seattle and the Puget Sound area have always been blessed and cursed by bodies of water, mountains and topography. Now, with all the people moving here, it is truly prudent to study the way traffic works and how it affects your commute before deciding where to buy or rent. Believe me, get a smaller home in a closer-in location, you'll thank me someday.

[rkcarguy]

I am not surprised. My insurance went up about 20% because apparently we've been named a high risk area by insurance companies. Each area has it's own metric though. Seattle for instance, most people on the road seem to have a purpose, but traffic gets too heavy and/or there is an accident, and things slow to a crawl.
Up here in Bellingham it's different. There are cars and trucks racing by at 65 mph, and then some dimwit will come up the onramp, fail to speed up, and cut over into traffic doing 40mph and cause an accident. I have seen and heard it, almost daily from my workplace. Even though the onramps have been extended, and the "gore", solid white lines you are not to cross, also extended, people still cut over early, not up to speed, and cause a wreck.
Even worse, it seems the area is so renowned for it's bottom draggers on the onramps, that the semi-truck traffic simply moves over into the fast lane as they approach Bellingham and camp there.
Do people realize it's state law that its the merging vehicles responsibility to join the flow of traffic, that means you speed up, and then finally find a hole in traffic and fit in, without making the person on the freeway have to speed up or slam on their brakes?
I mention this again, not because I want everyone out of my way so I can blast down the road. No. I've seen the paramedics cutting cars open, bring people out in stretchers, cars rear ended in chain accidents catch on fire with flaming gasoline running all over the road beneath the wrecks, semi trucks roll down the embankments, and the freeway closed for hours due to this, and there is no reason for this to happen. 9 times of 10, it's some Subaru, Prius, gold or plum colored Buick, and so on, that comes putting up the onramp and causes a wreck.

[JonasW]

Originally Posted by rantiquity

I have no problem with people who drive the speed limit or drive a speed according to the weather. The point is if the speed limit on 101 is 55... don't drive 45 and back up 20 cars behind.

The part in bold is the important bit. 'Limit' therefore the fastest one can drive but not required. The minimum would be ~35 and absolutely fine and legal - if there's a minimum at all. Driving 45 in that zone is perfectly fine. If you don't like it perhaps driving isn't for you.

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Originally Posted by JonasW

The part in bold is the important bit. 'Limit' therefore the fastest one can drive but not required. The minimum would be ~35 and absolutely fine and legal - if there's a minimum at all. Driving 45 in that zone is perfectly fine. If you don't like it perhaps driving isn't for you.

Interesting interpretation of posted speed limits. Tell that to the State Patrol.

[pnwguy2]

"Impeding traffic" is a real ticketable offense. There are laws that cover this and there are few "minimal" speed laws in Washington.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.425

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

I’m done here. I drive the posted speed limit. Those who choose not to, fine. Topic is closed for me.

[pnwguy2]

Originally Posted by MarciaMarshaMarcia

I’m done here.

And why?

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

And why?

Read my above edited post. Enjoy the Washington forum.

[pnwguy2]

OK, I have read your edited post. You say you drive the posted limit. That is fine. Props for that. But I don't understand your overall point. My post says it is illegal to impede traffic. If you are driving the limit, you are not impeding traffic. What am I missing?

[RunninJT]

Can't say I blame him, thread devolved into trolling about halfway down this page.