Safety emphasized at First Hill Streetcar Safety Day

The “First Hill Streetcar Safety Day,” which was organized by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), took place Thursday to emphasize safety features in Metro streetcars.

The event was held at the Broadway & Denny, Occidental & Jackson and 14th & Washington streetcar stations.

At the event, streetcar operators sat with stationary streetcars at all of the locations and people were encouraged to board the streetcars in order to see the new features and ask operators questions about a variety of topics, including how the streetcars run and the best safety tips to follow.

It is important for local residents to realize that streetcars are quiet and only signal warning horns and bells as needed. In addition, the streetcars are not barred by fences or barriers, so there is open flow between cars, bikes, streetcars and pedestrians. Motorists need to be ready to stop if they are driving behind streetcars.

“We want to help everyone understand how to be safe around operating streetcars,” Scott Kubly, SDOT director, said. “If you driving, biking or walking near the streetcar, we want you to be alert, safe and know what to expect.”

The First Hill Streetcar service ran between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m., Monday to Saturday. There will be 10 minute headways throughout the busiest commute times as well as from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.