Date:
Monday, August 14, 2006
Contact:
Lisa Murdock, WSDOT Communications, (360) 357-2789
OLYMPIA – After analyzing the events of the weekend, The 2 Dots 2 Safety project -- implemented last week and scheduled for a year-long trial -- is now being re-evaluated announced WSDOT.
WSDOT and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) introduced a new safety campaign last week that included signs and circular pavement markings (dots) on a two-mile stretch of northbound I-5 between Lacey and Nisqually. The idea was for the dots to show drivers what a safe following distance should look like. 2 Dots 2 Safety followed concepts from other states such as Pennsylvania and Minnesota where the program proved successful.
State Traffic Engineer Ted Trepanier said motorists traveling in the area over the weekend found themselves in long backups as drivers struggled to figure out how to gauge the dots, the signs and their following distances. High traffic volumes added to the congestion.
“The idea was not to impede traffic, but to increase safety, said Trepanier. “We apologize for delays drivers faced as a result of this program.”
Officials are not giving up on the safety campaign entirely, but instead, will look at other areas of the state that may be more suitable for ‘dot’ deployment. Currently crews are removing the campaign signs in the Nisqually area and will soon remove the circular pavement markings.
Following too closely is a dangerous driving behavior and can cause road rage. WSP will continue to enforce the tailgating issue. 2005 Washington state statistics show rear-end collisions accounted for 28 percent of vehicle crashes, over three percent of the fatal collisions, and 21 deaths.
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