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Safety tips

Driving safely

Red-light running

Red-light running is dangerous and a common cause of vehicular collisions. The City has recently implemented a Red-Light Running Photo Enforcement program called PhotoSAFE. Several intersections and school zones around Auburn have cameras that capture the image of vehicles running red lights.

Tickets are then issued and mailed directly to the registrant of the vehicle. In order to be in violation, the vehicle must have entered the intersection after the light turned red. For more information, please visit the PhotoSAFE information page.

Sharing the road with pedestrians and bicyclists

Pedestrians share the transportation network with cars, buses, trucks, and bicycles. Pedestrians generally travel along a dedicated right-of-way, such as a sidewalk. However, when pedestrians cross the street, they come into contact with motorized vehicles. Drivers need to remain attuned to the presence of pedestrians. This is particularly important at intersections or in other situations when numerous factors make safe driving challenging.

Drivers are responsible for yielding to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Per Washington State Law, crosswalks legally exist at any location that streets intersect, regardless of if they are marked or not. Hence, drivers must yield to any pedestrian crossing at an intersection, signalized or not.

Speed makes a big difference when it comes to the severity of any accident. However, vehicle speed is particularly important when there is a pedestrian/vehicular collision. When a vehicle hits a pedestrian at 30 MPH, there is an 85% likelihood that the pedestrian will be fatally injured. When a vehicle is traveling at 20 MPH or slower, there is a 95% likelihood that the pedestrian will survive.

Bicyclists are required to follow the same traffic laws as motorized vehicles, including stopping at stop signs and obeying other traffic control devices. However, motorists should be considerate of bicyclists when sharing the road and give bicyclists as much traveling space on the roadway as possible.

School zone speeds

In Auburn, 20 MPH speed limit signs are posted within the designated school zones. Some locations have flashing beacons and some are photo enforced with Auburn's PhotoSAFE signs and cameras.

All of these signs alert drivers that the speed limit has been reduced to 20 MPH whenever children are present. Auburn City Code defines "Whenever Children Are Present" to clarify when the reduced speed limit is enforceable. Children are considered present if they are in a crosswalk (marked or unmarked), about to enter a crosswalk, or visibly present on the sidewalk or on the roadway shoulder in areas where there is no sidewalk.

The speed limit is also reduced to 20 MPH in locations where the City has installed flashing beacons in conjunction with the 20 MPH speed limit signs. When these beacons are flashing, the speed limit has been reduced to 20 MPH whether or not children are present. Signs that are equipped with flashing lights operate for a set period of time before and after school, and during special events at the school.

Pedestrian safety

Visibility

According to recent studies, pedestrians have a tendency to significantly overestimate the ability of drivers to see them from a distance. Hence, pedestrians will often cross the street, incorrectly assuming an approaching driver can see them. There are several steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of pedestrian/vehicle collisions.

Pedestrian vehicle collisions are most common in this area November through February. In addition, the dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours are the most dangerous because of reduced visibility. Therefore, always wear light colored or reflective clothing, particularly when it is dark or partially dark outside. Also, never assume a driver can see you. Make eye contact and wave at the driver before proceeding across the street.

Crossing the street

Per Washington State Law, crosswalks legally exist at any location that streets intersect, regardless of if they are marked or not. However, pedestrians should remain alert and never assume that a driver will see them. Try to make eye contact with the driver if possible.

If you are crossing at an intersection, you may see a “WALK/DON’T WALK” pedestrian signal. When the "WALK" signal is lit, pedestrians may start across the street. The flashing "DON'T WALK" timing is set to allow pedestrians enough time to continue to finish their crossing if they have just stepped off the curb. The "DON'T WALK" light, solid or flashing, essentially means don't leave the curb.

Pedestrian Signal:

How Does it Work?

Steady

Start crossing the street within the crosswalk.


Flashing

Finish crossing the street. Don’t begin to cross when you see this signal. If you are already within the crosswalk, you will have enough time to finish crossing.


Steady

Don't cross. Wait on the curb.


Safe routes to school

The Auburn School District, and other school districts serving Auburn, have established safe walking routes for each elementary and middle school based on the presence of sidewalks, walking paths, and safe neighborhood streets, as well as the availability of safe street crossings and the traffic conditions in the surrounding neighborhoods. Please contact your school district directly for the most up-to-date information on walking/bicycling routes to school.

Railroad crossings

At grade railroad crossings, where the street and railroad tracks intersect, create a potentially dangerous situation for motorists, non-motorized travelers, and rail passengers. Auburn has several at grade railroad crossings. The Union Pacific line crosses city streets at South 285th Street, 37th Street NW, 29th Street NW, West Main Street, and 15th Street SW. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) tracks intersect city streets at 37th Street NW, 29th Street NW, 3rd Street NW, West Main Street, M Street SE, and the Auburn Black Diamond Road. With more than 60 trains passing through the City each day, there is a high potential for accidents involving a train.

The City coordinates with railroad operators and the State to upgrade the crossings whenever possible. For instance, new long-gate crossing arms were recently placed at the Union Pacific crossing on West Main Street. Also, in 2002 the pedestrian overpass at the Auburn Transit Center was completed, adding a new measure of safety for pedestrians crossing the railroad tracks.

It is extremely important for drivers and pedestrians alike to obey the warning lights and lowered crossing arms at railroad track crossings. Often, when a train passes and the crossing arms do not go up, there is another train coming. It is not safe to cross the tracks by going around the lowered crossing arms, even when an approaching train seems far away. Trains move at very high speeds through the City and can reach an at-grade crossing with little advanced warning. Trains can also back-up unexpectedly.

Seatbelt laws and child car seat information

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission provides detailed information on appropriate restraints for adults and children of all ages. Washington has two occupant protection laws: a seat belt law and a child restraint law. You may be stopped and issued a ticket if you or any of your passengers are not PROPERLY buckled up.