In light of the many incidents at the intersection of Ebey Road and NW Broadway across Highway 20 illustrated tragically by the loss of two Coupeville residents trying to live their lives and have a nice walk, I propose the following as a solution:

Install a lit and marked crosswalk across the highway at that location and install one across the Highway 20 and across Race Road where commuters and travelers do the “suicide race” across the highway to switch to Island Transit routes 1 and 6.

I have done it many times; my wife does it every day sometimes in the dark as a commuter. I would like to keep her around for someone to argue with.  I used to go to work on I-405 to and from a Redmond software company. A crosswalk that crosses NE 70th street between 116th Ave. NE and 122nd Ave. NE by Bridal Trails features approach warnings positioned to allow ample time for motor and pedal driven entities to slow and become aware of possible pedestrians. It is well marked, and features yellow lights strung over the roadway, a traffic light and, if memory serves me correctly (this may be a little draconian to some), a pedestrian or bicycle rider can press a button (child height) that turns on a red flashing light and klaxon. The lights and warning klaxon time down a certain number of seconds to allow a pedestrian plenty of time to walk across the highway safely.

I was taught at a very young age to walk at night with light clothing and reflectors of some design. I was also taught to carry some form of illumination, and today when I walk my dogs they wear harnesses with reflective tape just for this purpose.

And please look both ways and try not to race death while crossing the road.

How about installing a bus shelter at the Northbound 1 bus perhaps directly across from the Southbound 1 and 6 shelter. That would eliminate the need for installing an unlit crosswalk on Race Road as I proposed above.

Roland Shaak

Coupeville