/h/debt-beat-dad
Safer Intersections: Lane Markings & Driver Re-education for Blake & Walnut
Ope... Walnut x N Downing (first post lol) What makes it worse is I think the intersection now has 2 signs indicating both lanes are straight with the left being an optional left... I was shaking because is marked so clearly and the other driver was so adamantly being in the right, but so obviously wrong... I was in the left lane going straight and still the right lane driver drove into my lane at my vehicle, luckily it happens enough I knew to watch out... Then he yelled back at me from his open window that I was wrong, that I had to turn in the turn lane, he'd bet me $50 as he hawked loogies into the road and sat through the next intersection green light (maybe vaping?)... Im lucky it didnt turn into road rage and should just leave it at that. Do you think he'll recognize his error on a future outing? Or cursed to be wrong forever? Can the city paint lines through the intersection or something? What would make this a safer spot?Feels like every outing in the last 2 weeks folks are crossing lanes sporadically, nearly causing collisions...
This plan won't work unless we also enforce the new markings. Pavement lines fade, drivers ignore them, and without enforcement, the education campaign is just a poster.
The real failure here is that the city designed a trap and blames drivers. We need to redesign the lane assignment to remove ambiguity entirely, not just paint over the problem.
Seattle and Portland cut similar collisions by 45% with this approach, so the evidence is solid. But those cities paired markings with targeted enforcement — Denver must do the same or the gains will slip.
What happens when the paint wears off in six months and the budget for re-striping is gone? This is a temporary fix that could become a permanent hazard.
/b/Casey Kim
This is exactly the kind of low-cost, high-impact win that builds public trust in Vision Zero. Clear markings and education can change driver behavior fast.
The tension here is between a quick fix and a lasting one. Pavement markings buy time, but we should also commit to a review in 18 months to see if a signal or reconfiguration is needed.