As a long time Kirkland resident, I drive east on 128th Street frequently for appointments and errands. The sign is still there, clearly visible, “NO RIGHT turn on red.” Now, drivers angrily honk at those of us who stop. Where are Kirkland’s police cruisers now?

When the sign was first placed there, many motorists received costly tickets, like mine, for $150. Police would regularly follow several cars at a time down the hill and pull them into Trader Joe’s parking lot to write up tickets.

There had been no warning to alert the public that a longstanding rule for right hand turns had changed at that corner. The sign was barely visible in the rain and dark at 4 p.m. a few days before New Years. I checked to make sure crosswalks were clear as well as traffic merging was manageable before making what had previously been a legal right hand turn.

I not only received a $150 ticket, but now have increased auto insurance cost.

Were Kirkland police just “hungry” for revenue, and now they’re not? Could the public have been given a warning citation or have been alerted by a more visible flashing sign?

Or, should I just wish that some other poor driver could be snagged and given a hefty fine so Kirkland police could make a great quota of revenue gathered?

Kathy Caldwell, Kirkland