Signs, signals & crosswalks
- How do I report a missing, downed, or vandalized sign?
- How do I find out about increasing/reducing the speed limits on a road or speed limit on an existing road?
- How do I get a new crosswalk or other pavement markings on my street?
- What types of signs are there and how do I get a sign installed on my street?
- How can I get faded lines or other street markings repainted?
- Why can't I do this by e-mail?
How do I report a missing, downed, or vandalized sign?
To report a missing, downed, or vandalized sign, call 206-296-8100 or 1-800-527-6237.How do I find out about increasing/reducing the speed limits on a road or speed limit on an existing road?
Posted speed limits are not the only answer for controlling travel speed. There is a common belief that posting a lower speed limit will influence drivers to drive at that speed. The facts indicate otherwise. National research shows that drivers are more influenced by the appearance of roads and the prevailing traffic conditions than by the posted speed limit. If speed limit signs are posted for a lower limit than is needed to safely meet roadway conditions, many drivers will simply ignore the signs while other drivers will operate their vehicle near the posted speed. This increases conflicts between faster and slower vehicles, reduces gaps in traffic through which pedestrian and vehicle crossings could be made safely, and adds difficulty for pedestrians to judge the speed of approaching vehicles. Studies show that where uniformity of speeds are not maintained, accidents generally increase. Whatever the reason for unsafe traffic speeds, there are often actions that can be taken to improve the situation. If you are aware of roads in unincorporated King County where drivers are traveling at unsafe speeds, please contact us. To find out what the existing speed limit is on a roadway, call 206-296-6596 and ask to speak with an Engineering Technician in the Records group. To request a SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION OR INCREASE on an arterial road (30-50 MPH), call 206-296-6596 and ask to speak with an engineer in the Safety Investigations group. To request a SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION OR INCREASE on a residential road, call 206-296-6596, and ask to speak with an engineer in the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program.How do I get a new crosswalk or other pavement markings on my street?
As with many aspects of safety on our roadways, research and statistics suggest that installing pedestrian crosswalks may not do much for pedestrian safety. A Washington State Department of Transportation "Pedestrian Collision Report" of pedestrain/vehicle accidents found that most occured during daylight hours between April through September on dry pavement. The leading driver contribution to the accident was failure to yield, inattention and alcohol in that order. The leading pedestrian contribution was inattention, failure to yield, and alcohol in that order. Failure to the use the crosswalk was fourth. The Arizona State Department of Transportation used that study for it own crosswalk policy and describes covers the advantages and disadvantages of crosswalks in "Pedestrian Crosswalks - How Safe Are They?" Note that this material is based on reseach conducted in the City of San Diego, now one of the safest pedestrian cities in the country. This study found that the ratio of pedestrian accidents in marked crosswalks to those in unmarked crosswalks was 6 to 1 and even after some adjustments to the data, the ratio was 2 to 1. Traffic engineers install crosswalks sparingly because we do not want to foster a false sense of security in people crossing the street. There may be other more effective measures that can be taken to address your pedestrian safety concerns. If you have a question about crosswalks or other pedestrian safety measures, contact the Pavement Marking group at 206-296-6596.What types of signs are there and how do I get a sign installed on my street?
Adopt-A-Road SignsAdopt-A-Road signs are installed on road segments to honor the volunteer groups who clean the road segment two times per year for 2 years. Learn more about King County's Adopt-A-Road Program. To adopt a road, contact the Adopt-A-Road Coordinator at 206-296-3807. Alley Signs
King County does not install signs for alleys. These are generally considered private roadways. Arterial Signs
To request a sign on an Arterial street, call 206-296-6596, and ask to speak with an engineer in the Safety Investigations group. Blind Child/Person Area Signs
"Blind Child Area" or "Blind Person Area" signs can be installed on streets or in neighborhoods where a blind person lives. These signs are meant to alert drivers that a visually impaired child or adult lives in the area and may be walking in the neighborhood. The engineer with whom you speak will ask you to send documentation of the impairment. To request a "Blind Child Area" or "Blind Person Area" sign, call 206-296-6596, and ask to speak with an engineer in the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program if you live on a residential street, or an engineer in the Safety Investigations group if you live on an arterial street. Block Watch/Helping Hand Signs
The Block Watch Program is administered through the King County Sheriff's Office. The "Crime Prevention Handbook" from the King County Sheriff's Office has a chapter about Block Watch. Children at Play Signs
King County does not install "Children At Play" signs on county roads. This type of sign may give children a false impression that it is safe to play in the road. It is never safe for children to play in or near the edge of the road. Dead End Signs
"Dead End" signs can be installed on public streets that do not connect through to any other streets; the signs alert motorists that the road is not a through-route. King County also has smaller "Dead End" pointers that can be installed underneath a street name sign to indicate to drivers that the road does not go through. The pointers have proven to be effective because motorists can see the pointer without having to make the turn to find out the road is a dead end. To request a "Dead End" sign or pointer, call 206-296-6596 and ask to speak with an engineer in the Safety Investigations group. Deaf Child/Person Area Signs
"Deaf Child Area" or "Deaf Person Area" signs can be installed on streets or in neighborhoods where a deaf person lives. These signs are meant to alert drivers that a hearing impaired child or adult lives in the area and may be walking in the neighborhood. The engineer with whom you speak will ask you to send documentation of the impairment. To request a "Deaf Child Area" or "Deaf Person Area" sign, call 206-296-6596, and ask to speak with an engineer in the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program if you live on a residential street, or an engineer in the Safety Investigations group if you live on an arterial street. Deer Crossing Signs
King County uses "Deer Crossing" signs to alert motorists of a deer crossing location or corridor. Because deer can cross the road in multiple locations (especially in wooded areas), King County will often place the Deer Crossing signs on either end of a road segment, rather than at one spot. To request a Deer Crossing sign at a location or on a corridor, call 206-296-6596 and ask to speak with an engineer in the Safety Investigations group. Directional Signs (e.g. signs pointing to a church, hospital, cemetery, etc.)
Directional signs can be helpful to motorists, and King County does provide up to two (2) directional signs for non-profit/non-commercial organizations that are difficult to find. These signs are generally the size of a street name sign and are installed on the same post as a street name sign. Examples of organizations which have had directional signs installed in King County include churches, a cemetery, an historical museum, schools, and a grange which serves as a polling place. To request a directional sign, call 206-296-6596 and ask to speak with an engineer in the Safety Investigations group. Drug-Free Zone Signs
Drug-Free Zones can be established within a 1,000 foot radius from the boundary of a school. Signs are installed by King County's School Pathway Program, at the direction of a school district, to indicate that the area is a Drug-Free Zone. To learn more about these zones, contact your local school district. If you have further questions, you may call 206-296-6596 and ask to speak with an engineer in the School Pathways Program. Horse and Rider/Horse Trail Crossing Signs
The yellow warning signs with horse and rider can be installed to warn drivers that horses and their riders use the shoulder on the road and may be crossing the road. To request such a sign, call 206-296-6596 and ask for an engineer in the Safety Investigations group. No Outlet Signs
"No Outlet" signs can be installed on public streets that do not provide a through-route, but that may connect to other streets, which are dead end streets. The signs alert motorists that these roads do not constitute a through-route. King County also has smaller "No Outlet" pointers that can be installed underneath a street name sign. The pointers have proven to be effective because motorists can see the pointer without having to make the turn to find out the road does not have an outlet. To request a "No Outlet" sign or pointer, call 206-296-6596 and ask to speak with an engineer in the Safety Investigations group. No Parking Signs
"No Parking" signs can be useful safety tools. In some cases, parked cars near a driveway or intersection might obstruct a driver's line of sight. In other cases, parked cars might make the roadway width too narrow for emergency vehicles to travel. Generally, an ordinance approved by the King County Council is required to limit parking on a street for a length of greater than 100 feet, but if safety concerns such as emergency vehicle access come into play, the county traffic engineer has authority to approve distances for a length of greater than 100 feet as "No Parking" areas. To request "No Parking" signs, call 206-296-6596 and ask to speak with an engineer in Safety Investigations if you are concerned about an arterial, or with an engineer in the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program if you are concerned about a residential road. Private Road Signs
A street name sign (designating the street name with the words "private road") can be installed for a private road where it intersects with a public road. However, King County does not install street name signs at the intersection of two private roads. To request a private road sign, call 206-296-6596 and ask to speak with an engineer in the Safety Investigations group. School Crossing Signs
School Crosswalk signs are installed at crosswalks that are designated by a school district as a crossing point for school children. To request a school crosswalk sign, contact your local school district. If you have further questions, you may call 206-296-6596 and ask to speak with an engineer in the School Pathways group. Speed Limit Signs
Speed limit signs are generally posted between one and two miles apart on a road, or closer when the speed limit changes. Also, speed limit signs are posted on a road when it intersects with a road posted at a higher speed limit so that drivers coming off of the higher-speed road know to lower their speed. To request a speed limit sign, call 206-296-6596. For a sign on an arterial road, ask for an engineer in Safety Investigations; for a sign on a residential road, ask for an engineer in the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program. Stop Signs
Stop signs can be beneficial traffic control devices at locations experiencing a high frequency of right-angle accidents. However, stop signs, and especially four-way stop intersections, cannot ensure a safe intersetion. There are often other factors which are contributing to the traffic safety problem. To request a stop sign, call 206-296-6596. For a sign on an arterial road, ask for an engineer in Safety Investigations; for a sign on a residential road, ask for an engineer in the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program. The number to call is 206-296-6596. Street Name Signs
To request a street name sign for a public road, or for a private road at the intersection with a public road, call 206-296-6596 and ask to speak with an engineer in the Safety Investigations group.
How can I get faded lines or other street markings repainted?
In traffic engineer lingo, those "painted lines" are pavement markings. To request that pavement marking be repainted or new ones painted where none exist now, contact the Pavement Marking group at 206-296-6596.Why can't I do this by e-mail?
There are several reasons why many questions about signs are best handled by a phone call. Follow-up is almost always needed. In some areas, it can be difficult to accurately describe the location where the traffic problem occurs. In many cases, a traffic engineer needs to go out to the location to properly access the circumstances and make a determination about traffic problems and possible improvements. With a phone conversation, the traffic engineer can get a better sense of what the problem is from the citizen's perspective and sometimes arrange for a site visit when the citizen can be available. If you do send an e-mail about a sign question, please include a day-time telephone number. For more information and assistance, contact the King County Department of Transportation, Road Services Division, Traffic Section. Updated: Oct. 17, 2003
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