I’ve lived in the Northwest most of my life. I used to joke that if the temperature moves into the 80s, we all go nuts.

I may be right.

How else to describe the three bone-headed driving incidents I spotted all in one day.

#1: I’m headed north on 156th Avenue Northeast in the Crossroads area. At about Northeast 15th, there’s a mid-block crosswalk outfitted with flashing light to tell motorists that a pedestrian is crossing and they should stop.

Not the three cars I watched.

They each sailed by a man, now stuck on the “safety” island in the middle of the street. It’s not like it wasn’t obvious that he was crossing the street. Each driver seemed to momentarily hesitate, but then sped on their merry way.

#2: I’m headed west on Northeast 24th Street, at 156th Avenue Northeast, again in the Crossroads area. I’m stopped at the light. To my left is a car in the left turn lane. The left-turn light goes to green. The driver begins to pull out and – whoa – a Subaru comes through the intersection from the left. This wasn’t a case of a driver speeding to get through the soon-be-be red light. The light already was red, and the Subaru driver was just ambling along, oblivious, it seems, to the accident that nearly happened.

#3: I’m at Bel-Red Road and 148th Northeast. This is a notorious intersection for dumb drivers. I’m headed east on Bel-Red, waiting for the light to turn green. However, left-turn drivers go first, in both directions on Bel-Red. Our turn finally comes, but – nooooo! – two more drivers feel they have to hustle through the intersection. Again, this isn’t a case of someone being unable to stop safely. No one is going faster than 20-25.

Soon the city will be installing red-light cameras. It can’t come soon enough.

Thankfully, there are good people are out there, too.

I can’t say enough good about Linda Huizingh of Bellevue. As you recall, she was at the car wash on Bel-Red Road on July 6 when a 74-year-old man had his legs crushed when he was hit by another car.

Huizingh always carries towels and a first-aid kit in the car for emergencies. She sprung into action and, together with a medical student, who also was there, applied pressure to the man’s wounds until medic crews arrived on the scene.

It’s been years since I’ve take a first-aid/CPR course, but if I wasn’t motivated before, I am now. How about you?

The elections are coming and the Bellevue Reporter is adding a service to connect you and the various candidates.

We’re offering space on our website where local candidates can post their blogs to better talk directly to the voters.

We won’t control what they say. Just like everyone who comments on our website, they only have to abide by some standard terms and conditions.

We’ve checked this out with the state’s Public Disclosure Commission. There’s nothing illegal here and the offer doesn’t constitute a contribution or endorsement of the various campaigns.

For us, it’s just a way to help our readers better connect with the community – in this case the men and women, some of whom will represent you on local, city and regional councils after November.

Watch for it.