By Greg McCorkle

Call this a rant or whatever, but some folks just can’t observe the posted speed limits and pose a danger to themselves and others.

I live across from White Center heights Park near the intersection of 8th Ave SW and SW 102nd street. Last summer a new traffic circle was installed to ease congestion at the 4 way stop at this intersection. It works just fine in easing traffic flow. However, for some it’s given them carte blanche to thumb their noses at the posted speed limit which is 20 mph as you approach the roundabout.

Since its opening there have been 3 accidents at this intersection. One was a solo wreck, one was a head on involving two vehicles, and one resulted in three vehicles being damaged and one totaled. All were a result of excessive speed. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported as a result of these occurrences.  

All of this takes place right next to the park where families bring their children and across the street from White Center Heights Elementary School and a day care. With Covid restrictions being lifted students will be going back to school. Many older students walk through the area from the Greenbridge housing project on their way to and from Evergreen Jr High School as well as students going to the elementary school from the surrounding area.

There has always been some, long before the traffic circle, that used 102nd  Street and 8th Ave SW as drag strips to go as fast as they dare, the rest of us be damned. And, of course, these folks all drive loud cars and motorcycles. The volume of their vehicles isn’t the issue here- although that can be a story for another day. The issue here is safety. Safety for them, other fellow travelers, and pedestrians.

I am impressed with the speed bumps in West Seattle, just north across SW Roxbury St in the Highland Park neighborhood. They do a very good job in curbing those who would normally endanger everyone. These are not the massive walls of asphalt that cross both lanes. They are lumps in the middle of each lane. Just wide enough to force drivers to slow down and narrow enough allow buses to navigate them. I bring up buses because the #128 and #132 use both 8Th Ave SW and SW 102nd.

I believe that a series of small speed bumps stretching in all directions from the intersection, north, south, east, west, and extending to the next stop signs or lights would greatly reduce or completely eliminate dangerous behavior. Making it a safe environment for all of us.

I hope someone in King County government is listening…