The in basket: Dave Sander asks, “Who do I call about a malfunctioning left-turn light.The light at Jackson and Lund, going north on Jackson, lets only two cars through, maybe 3 if they are quick, then it goes to blinking yellow.”
The out basket: That’s a Kitsap County signal, and when they malfunction, call (360) 337-5777 to report it.
But that signal is operating as intended. It provides a short period of green at the start of each left-turn cycle, during which the turners don’t have to worry about opposing traffic and no pedestrians in their path have a walk light. Then the light goes to flashing yellow, during which time left turners still can go, but they have to yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
The only other time I have written about this particular aspect of the flashing yellows was when the one at the Walmart on Bethel Avenue in Port Orchard DIDN’T provide a short period of green one holiday season. The heavy shopping traffic didn’t provide many breaks in traffic for the left turns on yellow. It was supposed to have the green phase and the county fixed it.
That is all fine and dandy until you get those drivers who refuse to turn left on that blinking light because they are against them. And yes those people exist in Kitsap county. Just like those who wont turn right on a red and those who prevent other drivers from going around them. So I can understand this guys frustration about a light only letting a couple cars get through before going to blinking yellow. We have the same problem on 303 by safeway. That light to turn left towards safeway will sometimes turn red after a couple cars and if someone is on their phone when it turns green and quickly goes to red then you miss it. Then there are other times when the light stays green. Problem with that light is the fact it does that sporadically so it is real hard to judge when its going to do that. Alot of drivers will just go through the intersection and flip a U-turn in Walgreens parking lot and go through that light. Its faster than having to sit in the turn lane for 3-4 lights.