Explanation of clear-view triangle

In Spokane Valley, the size of the “clear-view triangle” depends on whether an intersection is controlled or not. In an uncontrolled intersection, which doesn’t have stop signs or stoplights, the triangle starts 50 feet from the intersection on both streets. The third leg of the triangle, which crosses over the property, simply connects the two end points made 50 feet from the corner.

At controlled intersections, the side of the triangle on the street where drivers must stop is only 16 feet long, or about the length of one car. The length of the second side of the triangle depends on the speed of the road where traffic doesn’t have to stop. For example, the second triangle side is 70 feet long on 25-mph roads and 110 feet long on 35-mph roads. Again, the third leg of the triangle is drawn by connecting the end points of the first two sides.

One way the city’s rule differs from the county’s is that the city begins measuring the triangle legs at the curb or the edge of the road. The county measures from the middle of the road instead. But roads differ in width. Whereas outlying roads might only be two lanes wide, roads in more urban areas can be six lanes wide or more.

Megan Cooley