Safer crosswalks

Stevens Way NE, the main road looping around the UW's Seattle campus, is always full of life. No matter what time of year it is, you'll always see a mix of cars, buses, shuttles, delivery vehicles, and of course, people, making their way around the loop. As a primary route for these many modes of transportation, Stevens Way contains about 40 marked crosswalks in a stretch of just over one mile.

Do you know your responsibilities as a driver when approaching a crosswalk? New signs in the center of the roadway at a few major crossings on campus now remind people driving or bicycling that they must stop for people crossing. In fact, it’s state law.

Here are the steps to take any time you approach a crosswalk, whether on campus or off:

• Slow down to a defensive speed (a speed at which you could make a complete, controlled stop).
• Scan both sides of the crosswalk to see if a person (on foot, bike, or wheelchair) is waiting to cross.
• If a person is there, stop completely in front of the crosswalk and wait for them to cross before proceeding.
• If you don’t see anyone, proceed through the crosswalk at a defensive speed. You may have to stop suddenly for someone you did not see.

Remember, you must stop for people waiting to cross at both marked and unmarked crosswalks in Washington. Unmarked crosswalks are at all normal intersections.

UW Transportation Services is currently studying the effectiveness of these first few pilot signs in increasing legal stop and yield behavior among drivers on campus. If you have comments or observations about these signs, please drop us a line at ucommute@uw.edu.