Showing posts with label safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label safety. Show all posts

Students creating app for safety on the Burke Gilman Trail

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Location of bicycle traffic safety experiment
Google maps

The Seattle Times reports on a student project designed to reduce bicycle - car collisions on the Burke Gilman Trail.

The UW team is installing sensors this month along the trail in Lake Forest Park, near the junction of Highway 522 and Ballinger Way Northeast, to test an app-based system that would alert drivers and cyclists if they are about to cross paths.

Focus of the experiment is the end of Ballinger Way where vehicles accessing the Civic Club and Beach Drive cross the Trail.

The UW team is installing three solar-powered sensors this month along the trail in Lake Forest Park, near the junction of Highway 522 and Ballinger Way Northeast. Each contains a module that detects Bluetooth-equipped devices nearby — so when a bicyclist’s phone comes within about 10 yards, its presence is relayed to nearby phones, vehicle navigation systems, and neighboring sensors. 
To use the system, travelers would need to download and turn on the app.
Article HERE


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AG Ferguson successfully challenges Administration’s delay of facility safety rule

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Tesoro fire 2010 Anacortes
Photo by Emma Schwartz, The Center for Public Integrity

Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued the following statement after a federal appeals court agreed with Ferguson and 10 other attorneys general that the Trump Administration’s delay of the Chemical Disaster Rule violated the Clean Air Act. The Chemical Disaster Rule updates important safety requirements for large industrial facilities that handle hazardous chemicals.

In its decision, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit used unusually harsh language to criticize EPA. For example, the court wrote that EPA’s reason for delaying the Chemical Disaster Rule “makes a mockery of the statute.” By delaying the rule, the court said, EPA “delayed life-saving protections.”

“Washingtonians have first-hand experience with the types of disasters this rule was designed to prevent,” Ferguson said of his latest victory against the Trump Administration. “I won’t allow the Trump Administration to ignore the law to advance the interests of the oil and chemical industry, at the expense of worker safety.”

Ferguson has now filed 32 lawsuits against the Trump Administration and has not lost a case. Ferguson has 13 legal victories against the Trump Administration. Seven of those cases are finished and cannot be appealed. The Trump Administration has appealed or may appeal the other six, which include lawsuits involving Dreamers, 3D-printed guns, and the transgender military ban. No court to rule on the merits of the Attorney General’s arguments in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration has ruled against the office.

Background
The Chemical Disaster Rule was prompted by a number of high-profile accidents around the nation, including the 2010 Tesoro refinery explosion in Anacortes. That explosion — specifically cited by the Environmental Protection Agency in its development of the new rule — claimed the lives of seven workers.

The Chemical Disaster Rule aims to reduce the threat of chemical releases with new standards and required safety audits, in addition to bolstering emergency preparedness. The rule applies to more than 12,000 facilities nationwide, including refineries, chemical manufacturers and others that use, store or have the potential to release highly hazardous chemicals.

Once a rule is finalized, the Clean Air Act allows for a 90-day delay to reconsider it in response to litigation. Beyond 90 days, the act clearly states that “reconsideration shall not postpone the effectiveness of the rule.”

The Chemical Disaster Rule was finalized on Jan. 13, 2017. On Jan. 26, under the Trump Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency delayed its effective date for 60 days — along with 29 other environmental regulations — shortly after the president took office. The Trump Administration postponed the 30 environmental regulations without providing an opportunity for public comment.

After the initial delay on Jan. 26, the Trump Administration postponed the Chemical Disaster Rule twice more while it reconsidered the rule.

The New York Attorney General's office led a coalition of 11 attorneys general who sued over the EPA's delay of the rule. In addition to Washington, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont also joined the lawsuit.



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Four new speed signs installed in Lake Forest Park

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Signs shows how fast individual
vehicles are traveling
 
As a result of feedback from the community through the Lake Forest Park Safe Streets Initiative, Public Works has installed six new active speed radar signs throughout the community.

These signs are designed to show the posted speed limit along with the actual speed of vehicles traveling on the roadway.

It is the City’s goal to reduce speed in areas that have been identified and make those roads safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. The signs have been installed at the following locations:

  • NE 178th at 29th Ave NE and 40th Ave NE
  • NE 160th at 33rd Ave NE
  • 55th Ave NE at 197th PL
  • NE 197th at 44th PL NE (both directions)

More information about additional Safe Streets Initiatives here



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One year later: things people still don't know about the Distracted Driving law

Monday, July 23, 2018

From Public Health Insider
By Lindsay Bosslet

It’s been a full year since Washington’s distracted driving law went into effect, but according to a survey of 900 King County drivers, there is still plenty of confusion about what is – and isn’t – allowed.

Let’s explore the misconceptions.
“It’s illegal to text and drive, but it’s fine if you’re at a stop light or during standstill traffic.”
It’s not fine! You can get cited for holding your phone for any reason at a stop light – and for good reason. Studies show that it takes 27 seconds to refocus on the road after using your cell phone. Resist the urge to snap that sunset or search through playlists. Instead, find a podcast to get you through rush hour, and keep your hands on the wheel.

“You can’t make any calls while driving.”
Sort of. You can use a hands free set or speakerphone while driving and you can use a single touch to start or end a Bluetooth-enabled call – you just can’t hold your phone. In general, both hands need to stay on the wheel at all times.

“You can’t even call 911 while driving!”
Yes you can! This is the ONE exception. If you or someone else is in an emergency situation, please call 911 immediately.

“You can get a ticket for being on your phone, but not for putting on makeup.”
Using your phone while driving is a stand-alone offense. But, if you are distracted in other ways (for instance, touching up lipstick, flipping through the radio, or eating a messy cheeseburger) and you break other rules that warrant citation, the distracted driving offense is a not-so-fun addition to your ticket.

Distracted driving offenses can result in a $136 ticket (escalating to $234 for subsequent offenses in a five-year period), but a collision could be so much worse.

Entering text into a cell phone can increase crash risk by up to 23 times. Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

Want know more about the state’s distracted driving law? Here's more information.


 

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Red light photo enforcement camera at Ballinger / Bothell Way goes lives Monday

Sunday, July 1, 2018

As part of the City of Lake Forest Park’s plan to help mitigate traffic safety concerns, address the increase in traffic volume on SR 522/Bothell Way NE, and improve pedestrian safety, a new traffic safety red light photo enforcement camera has been installed at the intersection of SR 522/Bothell Way NE and SR 104/Ballinger Way.
To comply with state law, “Photo Enforcement” signs have been posted in the area.

Travelers along the route are advised the cameras go live on Monday, July 2, 2018, and tickets will be issued following an initial 30-day grace period.

These systems are a safety measure designed to reduce and prevent speeding and collisions. Since its beginning in 2009, when cameras were installed in school zones, the goal of the program has been pedestrian safety in our school zones and collision reduction on SR 522.

The program is used as a force-multiplier, adding to the good behavior of drivers and enforcement capacity of the Police Department. The system enables Police Department staff, which is typically running at minimum levels, to perform other functions that address a wide range of public safety tasks.

It is important for citizens to know that photo enforcement violations do not get applied to their driving record. The violations are not recorded by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

As with a parking ticket, it does not matter who drives the vehicle, it's the registered owner who is responsible for the violation. This presumption may be overcome only if the registered owner states (before the court) that the vehicle involved was in control of some person other than the registered owner.


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Wear your seat belt or it will wear you

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Seat belt sign
Photo courtesy WSP
Washington State Patrol Trooper Brian Moore took this photo of a driver who was lucky to receive only minor injuries after being involved in a collision without wearing a seat belt.

Here's proof it was hanging by his side!



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Follow the dotted line

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Photo from Google Earth

By Diane Hettrick

This is a test.

You are in your vehicle on the NE 185th freeway overpass. You are pointed east to the North City neighborhood. The house on the left is going to be torn down for the North Shoreline Sound Transit Station (185th).

The next street, on your right, is 5th NE and you are going to turn right.

Here's the 50 point question: where will your vehicle be when you make the turn?

Here's the good news. There's no one parked on the overpass. Folks attending events in the Shoreline stadium (just over your left shoulder) have finally stopped doing that. Someone must have given them the word.

The 25 point question: where are the bicyclists?

And the answer is:

Keep your vehicle between the double yellow lines and the dotted white line all the way to the corner and then turn.

Bicyclists are to stay between the dotted lines.

The roadway between the dotted line and the sidewalk is just extra - and allows room for the bus to stop to pick up passengers.

The bus is the only vehicle that should cross the dotted lines.

The dotted lines are a signal to bicyclists that they are approaching a cross street and vehicles may be turning in front of them.

Drivers need to watch for bicyclists when they make turns.

How did you do? If you got the points, congratulations, you will not be the cause of an accident. If you didn't, well you know what to do now.

And we'll all be a little safer.



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Orange the Overpasses Friday June 1

Thursday, May 31, 2018


In honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Day, the Shoreline local group of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, along with local groups from Bothell/Mill Creek, Lynnwood and the Eastside, will “Orange the Overpasses” during the afternoon and evening commute on Friday, June 1st.

Group members will wear orange and gather at the following overpasses from 3:30 to 6:00pm to raise awareness about gun violence:

N 145th St and I-5
N 185th St and I-5
236th St SW and I-5
164th St SW and I-5
41st St and I-5
Bothell-Everett Highway and I-405
160th and I-405
Hwy 522 and 102nd NE

About the #WearOrange Campaign:

Orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor after she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 – just one week after performing at President Obama’s second inaugural parade in 2013.

Spearheaded by Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Everytown for Gun Safety, the Wear Orange campaign asks Americans who believe that it is possible to do more to save lives from gun violence to wear orange on June 1st to recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Those who wear orange pledge to honor the lives of Americans stolen by gun violence, to help keep firearms out of dangerous hands and to protect children from gun violence. Orange is the symbol of the gun violence prevention movement, and is used by activists all over the country to raise awareness.



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Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign May 14 - June 3

Friday, May 11, 2018

Ninety-five percent of Washington drivers and passengers use their seat belts, according to a new report from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

That leaves only five percent of people who might be subject to seat belt tickets during the “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign.

The May 14 through June 3 extra seat belt enforcement campaign runs through Memorial Day, one of the busiest travel and holiday weekends of the year.

According to the report, King County beats the state with an observed seat belt use rate of 96.2 percent.

More than 150 law enforcement agencies throughout the state will be participating in this 17th annual Click it or Ticket campaign.

In north King County, the Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Seattle, and Shoreline Police Departments and the Washington State Patrol will be placing special emphasis on seat belt and proper child restraint use.

Wearing a seat belt is one of the most important and effective ways to survive in a crash. It’s simple, seat belts save lives.

Border to Border - Monday May 21 includes the whole state
In conjunction with the Click it or Ticket campaign, a national seat belt enforcement effort called Border to Border will take place on Monday, May 21 from 4 – 8 pm.  It is a national seat belt awareness event involving states across the U.S. including Washington and Idaho.

Washington passed a secondary seat belt law in 1986 and the seat belt use rate that year was 36 percent. In the following years, Washington’s seat belt use rate rose and by 2002 the rate was 82 percent. During 2002, Washington passed a primary seat belt law and the seat belt use rate rose to 92 percent the very next year.

The seat belt use rate has remained between 94 to 95 percent for the last several years. During the same time periods, the unrestrained fatality rate decreased dramatically from accounting for 64 percent of all traffic deaths to 18 percent of all traffic deaths.



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New safety measures on Lake Forest Park roads

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Construction has begun on the new red light camera photo enforcement on SR 522 and SR 104. It is anticipated construction will be complete by May 31.

The City installed two sets of pedestrian flashing crosswalk signals at 35th Ave NE / NE 187th St and 30th Ave NE / NE 200th Ave.

The City of Lake Forest Park has purchased two portable active speed signs that are being deployed in areas of concern. This past year, the City worked with the community on a SAFE STREETS project to identify several problem areas in the City.

We hope to install permanent Active Speed signs and traffic calming measures in the coming months.

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Boater safety and awareness seminar May 27

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Photo by Jan Hansen

The King County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol, in partnership with the LFP Police Department, and the LFP Civic Club, will be putting on a two-hour boater safety and awareness seminar on Sunday, May 27, 2018, from Noon-2pm at the Lake Forest Park Civic Club, 17301 Beach Dr NE, Lake Forest Park 98155.

Parking is available across Bothell Way at the LFP City Hall Complex.

This is a great opportunity to listen to marine patrol officers about their job, legal issues on the water, and safety initiatives important to all boaters.

Topics include:

- Safe boating practices
- Pulling water skiers
- Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
- Boating near shoreline
- Safe launching

Boating season is upon us, I look forward to a safe and sane year!

Steve Sutton
LFP Chief of Police



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Trade in your old car seat at Target Apr 22 to May 5

Friday, April 20, 2018

Have an old car seat you’re ready to toss? Or maybe your growing kid needs an upgrade to a new size or style of seat? Now’s the perfect time— Target’s making it easy to recycle your old car seats and save big bucks on a new one.

In honor of Earth Month, they have brought back their popular car seat trade-in event.

Here’s how it works:

April 22 through May 5, bring any unwanted car seats to your local Target store and receive a coupon for 20 percent off a new car seat, booster seat, car seat base, travel system or stroller from our stores or full online assortment.

When you get to the store, bring your used car seat to the drop-off box located near Guest Services, and the team member there will give you your coupon. Guests can get one coupon per seat dropped off, and the coupon is eligible through May 19, 2018.

The old car seats go to our partners at Waste Management, who will recycle the parts to create new things like grocery carts, plastic buckets and construction materials.

Events like these are part of Target’s commitment to taking care of the planet and designing solutions across our business to make our products and services as sustainable and circular as possible.


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Register for personal safety training with Shoreline Police

Wednesday, April 11, 2018



Registration now open for the Personal Safety Awareness and Response training (PSAR). The 4-class program is designed to raise awareness and get you in the mindset of personal safety/intuition, active shooter incidents and response, and provide you with basic self-defense techniques.

Registration is limited. First-come, first-serve basis. Must pass a background check to participate.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Contact Community Officer Corona to register 206-801-2719.



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Shoreline teens to walk out in support of SB 5050 for gun regulations in Washington state

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Assault gun ban
Students at Shorewood and Shorecrest High Schools will walk out at 10:00am on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 in solidarity with the victims of the Parkland Shooting and in support of Washington SB 5050.

The bill would ban the manufacturing and sale of assault weapons and large capacity magazines in the state of Washington.

Students plan to stand in solidarity with the Parkland students for 17 minutes outside of their schools then march to King County District Court.




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The Opiate Crisis - A Community Forum on Jan 23

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Public Forum
The Opiate Crisis
January 23, 2018 - 6:30pm-8:00pm
Shoreline Room (north end) Shoreline Center


Shoreline Public Schools, City of Shoreline, and City of Lake Forest Park will partner to host “The Opiate Crisis: A Community Forum”

The open and free forum is designed to provide an opportunity for education and discussion about the opiate crisis and how it affects our communities. The event will feature presentations from local and regional law enforcement, as well as experts in the fields of drug abuse and treatment.



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Another opportunity to provide input on the LFP Safe Streets and Safe Highways Projects

How to improve safe access for people walking
and cycling to Town Center
The final Safe Streets report was adopted by the Lake Forest Park City Council on July 27, 2017, and is available on the project website.
In November, the Council approved an additional phase of the project—assessing ways to improve safe access for people walking and cycling to the Town Center and waterfront amenities. 
This new phase is focused on areas within a half-mile of the Town Center; or, roughly, a ten-minute walk.

For this portion of the project, an interactive web map has been set up that allows you to directly give us your ideas. The web map, available online, will be live until January 31, 2018.

We encourage you to visit the website, enter your ideas on the map, and vote on your neighbors’ ideas. Please share this information with friends, family, and neighbors. Your input is needed!


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Give your feedback online for the Safe Streets project

Friday, December 22, 2017

Phase 2 of Safe Streets project
The City of Lake Forest Park has provided an additional opportunity to provide input on the Safe Streets project

Safe Streets

The final Safe Streets report was adopted by LFP City Council on July 27, 2017. The report and other products from this effort are available on the Project Files page.

However, in November 2017, City Council approved an additional phase of this project – assessing ways to improve safe access for people walking and cycling to the Town Center and waterfront amenities.

This new phase is focused on areas within a half-mile of the Town Center, or roughly a 10-minute walk. For this portion of the project, there is an interactive web map that allows you to directly give staff your own ideas and your opinion on ideas shared by others.

The web map, available on the Map Your Ideas page, will be live until the end of January 2018.

We encourage you to visit the website, enter your ideas on the map, and vote on your neighbors’ ideas. Please share this information with friends, family, and neighbors. Your input is needed!

Safe Highways

The Safe Highways project is still underway.  Check out the website for more information.



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3rd Safe Highways open house in Lake Forest Park Monday

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Lake Forest Park has embarked on a project to make the highways that run through the city less dangerous to drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists - and more transit friendly.

There have been two open house presentations to date - one each for SR 104 / Ballinger Way and SR 522 / Bothell Way.

This open house will deal with both highways. Come hear how the city staff have taken your input and what they are proposing to do.

Monday, December 4, from 6 - 8pm at Brookside Elementary, 17447 37th Ave NE. More information here.

There is a concurrent project called “Safe Streets” that was initiated by City staff in Fall 2016. The Safe Streets project is separate and is focused on the other surface streets in Lake Forest Park. Read more about Safe Streets here.



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State Fire Marshal: Make fire-safe cooking habits a priority in your kitchen

Tuesday, November 21, 2017


From the State Fire Marshal's Office

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the number one day of the year for home cooking fires?

Many of these fires are the result of unattended cooking, and a number of these fires involve turkey fryers.

This year, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is advising that residents plan ahead to ensure a safe, fun and food-filled holiday.

Keep your holiday dinner delicious by practicing safe habits while in the kitchen with these fire safety tips:

Kitchen Caution
  • Never leave the stove unattended. If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner or oven off.
  • Keep your cooking area clear of anything that can burn.
  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
  • Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby to cover a pan fire.
  • Wear short sleeves or roll sleeves up.
  • Keep an ABC rated fire extinguisher in an accessible location.
Turkey Fryer Caution
  • Choose a fryer with thermostat controls to prevent oil from overheating.
  • Before operating a turkey fryer, always read and follow the instruction manual.
  • Thaw your turkey completely— ice will cause hot oil to splatter.
  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the fryer.
To learn more about kitchen caution and how to prevent home fires, visit the State Fire Marshal’s website and Twitter feed.



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Safe Streets: new lighted beacons at crosswalk on 40th Pl N at NE 185th

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Flashing lights at 40th Pl NE and NE 185th
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park
New Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) Signals have been installed on 40th Pl NE and NE 185th St in Lake Forest Park near Eagle Scout Park.

The signals are pedestrian activated, meaning they feature a push button mounted on a post that pedestrians press to activate the flashing lights.

Photo courtesy City of LFP
The new signals are an important feature to enhance pedestrian safety in Lake Forest Park. 

This location was recommended to the City through the Safe Streets Study adopted earlier this year by City Council.

See Project Files for more details about the Safe Streets Study.

More of these beacons will be added to crosswalks around the City.




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