The internet and social media have become tools for the community to act on issues. A viral video has been used to document a string of crashes at a downtown Seattle intersection. The intersection has been a problem for years. The video shows crashes taking place at the I-5 southbound off-ramp on Union Street.
The video is viral which ensures plenty of eyes can see and know about the safety concerns. Residents that live close by hear the constant screeching of tires and loud noises outside. A video cam was mounted to view the intersection and it did not disappoint.
The cause based of the footage seems to be drivers exiting too fast on the southbound exit of I-5, near the Convention Center. The owner of the video put together a montage of the problem. It was posted online where it received many views.
Agencies have been put on notice about this. SDOT and WSDOT data is inconclusive about the causes of the crash. However, the tire marks and scratched pavement is prevalent at the spot. Both agencies responsible for the city street connected to the state highway.
WSDOT says it is aware of the issue and has been making changes since 2019. It says it has been adding and replacing signage to urge people to slow down to 20 miles per hour on the sharp turn. Local residents want the agencies to do more. Suggestions includes adding indivots or bumps in the roadway which increase vibration and encourage people to hit the brakes.
