What Makes a Roadway Safe? ISLAND COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Press key to advance this display

First off, some facts: More than one million people are killed each year on the world’s roadways. More people die in the U.S. each month from traffic accidents than died in the September 11 terrorist attacks. U.S. Traffic Accidents cost more than $150 billion annually. Rural two-lane roads represent 80% of all U.S. Highways and most lanes are less than 11 feet wide. Rural two-lane roads experience higher rates of accidents than freeways. Wider lanes and shoulders are among the most effective means of improving rural roadway safety.

Shoulders Provide: Space to escape serious accidents Space to pull over because of vehicle malfunction Space to pull over to let emergency vehicles respond Improved sight distance Space for bicycle and pedestrian use Space for bus stops Space for plowed snow and maintenance operations Reduction of storm water degradation of pavement

Some Roadway Considerations : Sight Distance - ability to see and anticipate ahead –Topography - hills vs. flat ground –Horizontal Curves Posted speed vs. driver speeds ADT - Average Daily Traffic Types of traffic - cars, trucks, buses, bicycles, pedestrian Type of service - residential, collector, arterial Uniform dimensions to conform with roads elsewhere

Roadways Aren’t Just Pavement; They also provide: Stormwater treatment with grass strips and swales Stormwater runoff absorbed with infiltration trenches Embankments, cut slopes and retaining walls Signage and utilities set back from edge of roadway Driveway accesses with safe sight distances Vegetation to control erosion and enhance the view

What are My Chances? Q: I drive all the time. When am I more likely to be involved in a car accident? A: Double-check your seatbelt on Saturday, by far the most likely day for an accident. The worst time is between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am. Q: How much safer is my big fat SUV? A: Some say not at all. Although very large vehicles offer more protection in an accident, they are far more likely to be involved in an accident in the first place. Q: Which groups are least likely to wear a seatbelt? A: Those with the least common sense: minors, drunks and males. Q: What is my most dangerous toy? A: Your bicycle accounts for almost 400,000 emergency room visits per year. (Well, ok, not your bicycle). Reprinted with permission from Whidbey Printers, “Facts of Life”, May 2003

Sidewalks Vertical and/or lateral separation from roadway Minimal grades and drop-offs Minimal cross-slopes Minimum Width to allow two-way pedestrian traffic Easily maintained Meets ADA standards (mobility) Clearances of 8 feet above sidewalk People prefer straight lines; Point A to Point B Determine pedestrian destinations and align to serve the greatest amount of pedestrian traffic

I I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education Thomas Jefferson September 28, 1820