1st Ticket...sigh

[airs]

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...2,5.04,,0,8.73

I was in the left hand lane, 35 mph zone. Big truck in right hand lane, slowing down. I think he's turning, keep going in my lane - got pulled over a half block down for "passing a vehicle that was stopping for pedestrians". Couldn't see that there were pedestrians cause of the truck..ugh..even so, who tries to cross 5 lanes going 35mph without a marked crosswalk? Bah.

[MadMan77]

According to the map location you provided there are zero crosswalks on that four-lane road. I don't see how he could legally ticket you unless they were jay-walking.

I would print out those Google maps photos and fight it.

[airs]

Apparently whenever there is an intersection, that defines a crosswalk - that crosswalk can be marked or unmarked. Crazy eh?

Profiling? I think so

[Evice]

"whenever there is an intersection, that defines a crosswalk "

Is this seattle rule?

[MadMan77]

Originally Posted by Evice

"whenever there is an intersection, that defines a crosswalk "

Is this seattle rule?

Exactly. If he is talking about the intersection by the Starbuck's, that is a "T" intersection and there is no way pedestrians have the legal right to cross a four-lane road there.

[imported_mega]

I would fight that ticket

[jibaholic101]

Originally Posted by MadMan77

Exactly. If he is talking about the intersection by the Starbuck's, that is a "T" intersection and there is no way pedestrians have the legal right to cross a four-lane road there.

this, go to court, fight it. he had no right to write you that ticket

[cyanggg]

Man, this same situation happened to me today in California on Fair Oaks Ave (in Pasadena). I was wondering why the hell some guy was stopped on the right lane and then I pass by and I see pedestrians waiting to cross. This is a very badly constructed situation in which to give you a ticket. There is no stop sign or pedestrians crossing sign, so why the hell should you for any reason stop (for which you can really get a ticket for stopping in the middle of the road). And since there is no reason to stop, you just keep going, like I did. Way dumb.

[airs]

Unmarked crosswalks are at every intersection if not marked:

RCW 46.04.160

"Crosswalk" means the portion of the roadway between the intersection area and a prolongation or connection of the farthest sidewalk line or in the event there are no sidewalks then between the intersection area and a line ten feet therefrom, except as modified by a marked crosswalk.

Crosswalk Quiz
How much do you know about crosswalks and right of way? Take the test.

When do pedestrians have the right of way?

1.At marked crosswalks at intersections. True or False
2.Midblock without a marked crosswalk. True or False
3.At marked crosswalks midblock. True or False
4.With marked and unmarked crossings, only in the marked crosswalk. True or False
5.At intersections without a marked crosswalk. True or False

.
.
.
.

Answers: 1) True; 2) False; 3) True; 4) False; 5) True

From: http://www.tsc.berkeley.edu/newslett...atyouknow.html

[MadMan77]

So I guess I was wrong. Upon looking up Washington State traffic laws it looks like you might be screwed. According to THIS it is legal to cross at any intersection with a marked or unmarked crosswalk. An unmarked crosswalk is defined as follows:

A legal crossing approximately perpendicular to the roadway that does not have painted lines or special surface material to designate the prolongation of the sidewalks of an intersecting cross street.

I know that is a bit wishy-washy but it also points to THIS which states that disabled people may cross a roadway where a sidewalk ramp is present. Unfortunately for you there is there are sidewalk ramps perpendicular to the roadway in which you were traveling according to the Google maps coordinates that you specified in the OP. That, in a roundabout way, makes it an unmarked crosswalk.

I know it is crap but it is a law unfortunately. Someone out there did a study saying there were more pedestrian casualties in marked crosswalks than in unmarked.

The best you can do is fight it is by saying it looked like the semi truck was turning onto that road next to Starbucks and your view was blocked by it.

[MadMan77]

Originally Posted by Phiberglass

Sounds like you got a ticket.

BTW, thanks for sharing your infinite wisdom on the matter.

[ORIGIN M.]

If you would like it to go bye bye,,, I can give you the name of my Seattle Laywer, that will appear for you and get it dropped w/out question. If it is your first ticket you can have a one time deferral by the court, that will not count on you record, as long as you don't get another one for another year. That doesn't require a lawyer!

PM me if you would like his number. He is one of the best in Washington state.

[scorcherjf]

Originally Posted by MadMan77

Someone out there did a study saying there were more pedestrian casualties in marked crosswalks than in unmarked.

Haha... link to that study? I'd assume that there's merely more people crossing at marked crosswalks than unmarked... so even if the chances of an accident are less at marked ones, the actual number of accidents may be higher.

To the op, yea that sucks. You could try calling a traffic ticket fighting law firm and asking their opinion, usually it's free for just advice. It does sound like something you'd actually have to go and fight yourself though. It's easy for us to sit here and say fight it since the truck was blocking your view and there was no reason to stop, not even a traffic light, but you're the one that will actually have to take the time to go to court. How much is the fine? If it's small it might not be worth wasting time with...

[MadMan77]

Originally Posted by scorcherjf

Haha... link to that study? I'd assume that there's merely more people crossing at marked crosswalks than unmarked... so even if the chances of an accident are less at marked ones, the actual number of accidents may be higher.

Here is a link to one that has been summarized from an article in the ITE Journal, Sep 2000 issue:

http://www.injurytriallawyer.com/lib...crosswalks.cfm

[Midgad]

[quote=airs;5430724]Unmarked crosswalks are at every intersection if not marked:


1.At marked crosswalks at intersections. True or False
2.Midblock without a marked crosswalk. True or False
3.At marked crosswalks midblock. True or False
4.With marked and unmarked crossings, only in the marked crosswalk. True or False
5.At intersections without a marked crosswalk. True or False

.
.
.
.

Answers: 1) True; 2) False; 3) True; 4) False; 5) True

In my opinion peds. have the right of way anywhere!!
If a car hits a ped, the car owner will get sued no matter where the accident occured, and whose fault it may be.

..by the way fight the ticket... and thanks for the heads up, know exactally of the situation you speak of, very easy to miss the ped if other vehicle is blocking them.

[Dave]

le sigh

[Lester]

The truck driver shouldn't have stopped. A$$hole.....

[Lexington]

"At intersections without a marked crosswalk"

Presume this does not apply to intersections that have a traffic contol device/signal?

[tbird]

Down here in SoFL, we have an abundance of "Traffic Lawyers", and they are nice and cheap. Do you have those up there?

Also, does this count as a "Moving Violation". If so, I kinda lean towards fighting it if you can, but it depends on how the courts are to traffic matters. Down here in FL, you have a chance. In MA and NH, forget it. Barely even worth hiring a lawyer, you are just screwed. So it depends on what Seattle is like.

Totally wish you good luck!!

[MadMan77]

Originally Posted by Lexington

"At intersections without a marked crosswalk"

Presume this does not apply to intersections that have a traffic contol device/signal?

That is correct. If there is an intersection with traffic control devices, i.e. stop lights, they have to yield the right-of-way to the vehicles on the road.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by tbird

Down here in SoFL, we have an abundance of "Traffic Lawyers", and they are nice and cheap. Do you have those up there?

Also, does this count as a "Moving Violation". If so, I kinda lean towards fighting it if you can, but it depends on how the courts are to traffic matters. Down here in FL, you have a chance. In MA and NH, forget it. Barely even worth hiring a lawyer, you are just screwed. So it depends on what Seattle is like.

Totally wish you good luck!!

I have offered him the number of the Lawyer I use, that is one of the best in the state. It cost about 350 give or take, depending on who you hire. The one I use doesn't require you to appear, so the costs can be offset by being able to still go to work as usual. I personally like my low cost insurance, and will gladly pay to keep it as low as it is.

[tbird]

Agreed, keep the insurance low. The minute they have a hook in you on an "offense", they will use that forever.

Lawyers are same here. You walk in, you pay them, give them the ticket, walk out. They mail you the results. So far, the one I have been using has been awesome!!