Speeding Drivers Reported Throughout The Neighborhood

one of two new speed radar signs

on NE 45th Street

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information from a neighbor:

As I was approaching the intersection of NE Surber Drive and 42nd Avenue NE on November 16th, my car was almost struck by a white Subaru rounding the corner going about 35 miles per hour as I was turning turning onto 42nd Avenue NE.  

Several years ago a resident on NE Surber Drive contacted the Laurelhurst Blog Staff wondering how effective the speed cushions are because he has seen cars, especially larger vehicles, such as SUVS, avoiding the speed cushions, thus still being able to maintain a high rate of speed. 

The speed cushions, which are three inches high, were installed in  December of 2011 between NE 41st Street and 41st Avenue NE, due to numerous neighbors raising concerns about speeding cars over the last several years. 

One neighbor at the time commented:

At the yield sign at Surber Drive and 42nd Avenue NE there used to be round bumps (I'm sure there is another name for them) and painted stripes to the right of the yield sign. Drivers going right onto 42nd Avenue NE cut to the right of the sign and sometimes even pass cars that are turning right from the correct side of the sign. Twice I have even witnessed drivers coming from Webster Point area and turning left onto Surber left of the sign on the left side of the road. Very scary!

The City installed the speed cushions after more than 60 percent of affected neighbors signed a petition submitted in July of the same year.  The well-travelled corridor had been on SDOT’s priority funding list and SDOT told the Laurelhurst Community Club  at the time that funds were finally available to "address the relatively high speeds." 

Another frequent area of speeding is NE 41st Street commonly known as "Suicide Hill,"  the very steep hill on NE 41st Street between 42nd Avenue NE and 43rd Avenue NE.  Neighbors report speeders driving in excess of 50mph down the hill. 

The Laurelhurst Blog posted many comments received by neighbors and others who frequently use that street. 

In 2013 a neighbor commented:

We came across a car wreck at the cross streets of NE 41st Street and 43rd Avenue NE. Ever since we moved in almost two years ago, I frequently cross NE 41 Street from 43rd Avenue NE. Every time I cross that street I'm thankful I made it safely. I often thought it might take an accident for the City to put stop signs on the 45th Street  sides, both east and west. Perhaps the unfortunate accident will make this happen. 

Several years ago the Laurelhurst Blog reported about a dog that was struck and killed by a speeding driver on NE 41st Street and in  December the Blog reported about two car accidents, one in which one person was taken away in an ambulance and the other the speeding driver lost control and hit the median sending one tired into the fence at Talaris and knocking part of it down.

Robin, who works on road safety with the Laurelhurst Community Club, has  over many years witnessed accidents and near misses around Suicide Hill.  He has been working to improve the safety in that area over the last few years.

Speeding around Laurelhurst Elementary School has also been seen.  In February a  parent that lives near  Laurelhurst Elementary School reported  that he often see teens speeding and/or texting while driving through the School zone. 

NE 45th Street is also another frequent speeding corridor.  In September, Children's Hospital worked with SDOT to permanently install speed radar signs on NE 45th Street in both directions, towards the bottom of the hill. Children's Hospital initiated the request, to Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to improve traffic safety, after a pedestrian was struck at the intersection of NE 45th Street and 40th Avenue NE, in March of last year.

In Seattle, the speed limit on all residential (non-arterial) streets is 20mph.  The speed limit on arterial streets is 25mph, unless otherwise posted.