25 mph: Seattle extends speed limit across the city
Solomon Dubie owns the Cafe Avole on Rainier Avenue South. He has plenty of room to put out some tables and chairs on the sidewalk, but he says he's too worried about the cars speeding by.
"It's an issue because this almost feels as if it's a highway right here when you got cars going 50 miles an hour," he said. "It just doesn't feel very safe."
The cafe is right across the street from one of the first 25-mph speed limit signs on Rainier, often called the city's most dangerous street for pedestrians.
On Tuesday Mayor Jenny Durkan announced arterial roads like this across the city will see a speed reduction to 25 miles per hour.
Dubie thinks Durkan's changes will make the neighborhood safer.
"You've got a lot of seniors right here and young kids, which MLK is right around the corner, so after 2 p.m. you've got a pile of kids walking up and down here," he said.
So far this year, 25 people have been killed in traffic accidents in Seattle.
"It has been one of the most unsafe years we've had in Seattle for pedestrians," Durkan said.
She also said the city will double the number of traffic cameras at red lights and increase police patrols to make sure drivers don't creep into crosswalks.
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Casey Martin
Reporter
Casey Martin is a general assignment reporter who has covered everything from political protests to electric scooters. He is almost always out in the field where the news happens. Casey has reported on extremism, houselessness, politics and Seattle’s nightlife.
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