An alert reader was listening to her police scanner Wednesday morning and called the Herald to tell us of another accident at the Bond and Stottlemyer intersection.

The call came literally as I finished writing about the head-on collision that had taken place earlier that morning on Bond Road and was writing about a boating accident from the previous weekend and two reports from Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.

Crimony.

The reader said she avoids driving the stretch of highway between Striebel’s Corner and Big Valley Road now because it is such a death trap. I don’t blame her. She suggested that the speed limit be lowered.

I told her the Washington State Department of Transportation did that recently, citing studies that showed drivers traveling at speeds less than the then-posted limit of 55 mph. So, WSDOT reduced it to 50 mph.

Yes, I know we’ve got a light going in at Bond and Gunderson. Everyone thinks it will help the number of accidents there. Quite frankly, if it does, I’d be surprised.

Maybe it will, as people will HAVE to pay attention to the bright red and green lights that will be flashing before them at the death trap.

However, I also understand concerns about the traffic back ups that could be created there. If they install a sensor to only change lights when cars approach the Stottlemyer/Gunderson sides of the intersection, then it would probably be OK. But most likely there will be a right-turn lane, which, by common law, you can turn right on red. I hope they put a “No Right Turn On Red” sign there.

But it will be interesting to see if any one follows it. It’s those turning from Gunderson on to Bond who seem to be involved in the major accidents there.

Just Tuesday, I was turning left from southbound Bond Road onto Gunderson (I don’t even know why I even bother going through that intersection anymore, I might as well have my own obituary ready for press), and I was assessing the intersection, assessing who was turning where. I crossed my fingers and spoke under my breath, “Everyone stay where you are,” and turned. Thankfully, my life was spared. However, it’s the backroads from now on.

Last winter was extremely hard on North Kitsap, with the deaths of so many people from completely unnecessary car accidents. It was hard on families, it was hard on friends and it was hard coming into work every day, fearing there would be another Washington State Patrol report in our fax machine, announcing the end of someone else’s life.

I remember getting the report on Miles Pendergraft. I had interviewed him just a few months prior. When I saw the name, I was crushed.

When Chris Case from the North Kitsap School District sent over the notice about Kyle Sizemore and Josh Morton, that was harsh. Every time I talk with Jim Turner, I notice his eyes have not dried since his wife died in the accident in December.

As March rolled around and we were writing up what seemed like the millionth car accident that involved a fatality, our editor asked us if were doing OK. I said there’s nothing much we can do other than write about it and let the public know. What else can we do? I hate being passive aggressive but it’s just frustrating.

After John Horton’s death, WSP public information officer Brian George said inattentiveness seems to be one of the major causes of accidents in the area. WSP announced last week it would be increasing its patrols on Bond Road.

So what can we do, North Kitsap?

Many will argue various points as to why these accidents are happening. I’m just pleading for drivers to slow down and pay attention. I will continue to do my job as the reports come in, because they will. But I’m asking you to do your job as a responsible driver and to slow down and pay attention.

Tiffany Royal

Herald Reporter/Acting Editor