While the tragic accident at 140th Avenue Northeast and Bel-Red Road continues to be investigated, two letter writers on this page have raised issues that we suspect are on many people’s minds.

n Do left-turn flashing yellow arrows make intersections safer? and

n Are Bellevue pedestrians at risk because sidewalks have little room if people need to escape an oncoming car?

In the Sept. 29 accident, a 28-month-old toddler was killed when one car struck another, shoving it onto a sidewalk and into the child’s stroller.

The city say the flashing yellow arrows are safer than what was there before: a green light that governed all motorists and simply says “go.”

We agree.

The problem is that far too many drivers will do almost anything to not get stopped at a traffic light. Often that means speeding up to clear the intersection when it is obvious that they easily could stop. Equally bad, drivers who force themselves through a turn as the light turns yellow can face that oncoming driver who has sped up.

Bellevue says it plans to re-educate the public about how to use flashing yellow arrows. That’s good. But it won’t necessarily stop drivers who stomp on the accelerator when they see a yellow light.

Perhaps a few traffic officers at busy — and dangerous — intersections could stop overly eager drivers and write a ticket, if warranted.

However, even if drivers are in the right, it doesn’t mean they’re driving safely. There should be nothing wrong with an office pulling someone over and explaining to them — one on one — the danger of their actions to themselves and others.

If they listen — and get the message — we’ll have a safer city. That should benefit both our streets and sidewalks.

— Craig Groshart, Interim Editor