Were they not taught to look both ways?
In most cities, people stop and look both ways to check for oncoming traffic before crossing a street or parking lot. In fact, I recall public service announcements and educational spots on television when I was a kid extolling the virtues of this precaution.
Why not Seattle?
Why must people just stare straight ahead and step off of the curb, expecting all traffic (if not the world) to stop immediately so they can meander slowly across the street?