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Guess which of these I encountered today?
Jul. 31st, 2010 11:50 pm"How much should you slow down, based on the location of the accident", a handy guide for Seattle drivers.
Your lane: stop now
Neighboring lane: slow down to the point that you have time to evaluate if the accident peeks into your lane, or someone in the accident lane needs to get out.
Non-neighboring lane in the same direction: no speed decrease necessary, but leave space for swerves and secondary swerves. If you have to slow down to establish the spacing, do so.
lane, opposite direction, no barrier present: there's a remote possibility of a swerve into your lane, so be alert, but there's no need to slow once you've verified that's not happening.
lane, opposite direction, barrier present: HURRAY! the only danger to you is if someone hits the accident at speed and jumps the barrier, or generates shrapnel. Speed up to minimize that danger.
shoulder, opposite direction, barrier present: there is no possible way the accident is a danger to you. Drive normally, or speed up on the assumption that the cops have bigger problems.
past the shoulder in a pull off area, opposite direction, barrier present: OH MY GOD I HATE SEATTLE SO MUCH. THE ACCIDENT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. BEYOND THE SHOULDER. THERE IS NO CHANCE OF ANYONE HITTING IT UNINTENTIONALLY. THERE IS NO NEED TO CREATE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. DIE IN A FIRE.
Your lane: stop now
Neighboring lane: slow down to the point that you have time to evaluate if the accident peeks into your lane, or someone in the accident lane needs to get out.
Non-neighboring lane in the same direction: no speed decrease necessary, but leave space for swerves and secondary swerves. If you have to slow down to establish the spacing, do so.
lane, opposite direction, no barrier present: there's a remote possibility of a swerve into your lane, so be alert, but there's no need to slow once you've verified that's not happening.
lane, opposite direction, barrier present: HURRAY! the only danger to you is if someone hits the accident at speed and jumps the barrier, or generates shrapnel. Speed up to minimize that danger.
shoulder, opposite direction, barrier present: there is no possible way the accident is a danger to you. Drive normally, or speed up on the assumption that the cops have bigger problems.
past the shoulder in a pull off area, opposite direction, barrier present: OH MY GOD I HATE SEATTLE SO MUCH. THE ACCIDENT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. BEYOND THE SHOULDER. THERE IS NO CHANCE OF ANYONE HITTING IT UNINTENTIONALLY. THERE IS NO NEED TO CREATE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. DIE IN A FIRE.
