Neighbor John suggests a new art project for you crafty types:
We can’t even keep the 15th and Highland tubes filled with flags. People keep absconding with them. We’ve tried neon, reflective, American. They all get stolen. Maybe you could ask the arts and crafty types to make fun flags and, when the mood strikes them, drop a couple off at the intersection. (or others — I’ve noticed lots more crossing flag locations on the hill).
If you know of any crossing-flag cans that are lacking in the crossing-flag department, leave a note in the comments.
why would someone steal a flag? if i remember we’ll make a few. Little Big Noise loves to wave them.
I wish Seattle would adopt what they do in Toronto. Pedestrians stand at intersections and point, and cars notice and stop (usually). This flag nonsense looks silly and invites thieves.
Kirkland and some other spots on the Eastside use the flag system and it appears to work pretty well (less flag stealing)
Kirkland also has an interesting crosswalk alert system – although probably not cheap. In certain mid-street crosswalks in downtown Kirkland there are ground-level Vegas-style flashing lights that blink like crazy while the pedestrians are in the crosswalk.
If an intersection is deemed *that* dangerous, why not install a pedestrian crossing signal instead? I’ve seen those Vegas-style lights in Kirkland and thought that people must be crazy to cross the street clutching their puny yellow flag while cars are flying toward them at 50 mph. Like marked crosswalks, these flags will likely give some peds a false sense of security and cause them go on the offensive, rather than the defensive.
p.s. Last week, Harborview (not CHS-zoned, but close enough) installed some of these flags at 9th and Jefferson. I don’t think they lasted more than 15 minutes.
Thanks Final Answer for the new flag tube location update. I’ve been collecting them to make a high-brow-fashion ballroom gown titled “The Safety Dance”. Keep those peepers pealed girl!