Between the first half of 2019 and 2022, there have been 519 more people killed while walking on the street, an increase of 18%. In the country, 1.04 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 persons occurred in 2022, a considerable increase from 0.90 in 2019.
Ages 20 to 69 have the greatest incidence of pedestrian deaths in auto accidents per 100,000 people. Most pedestrian fatalities take place in cities.
Because of this, it’s crucial to watch out for pedestrian crossing signs and only cross at such locations.
Pedestrian Crossing Signs: What Does It Mean?
Numerous pedestrian crossing signs have signals with the phrases “walk” and “don’t walk” or with a person walking while holding up an orange hand. Crossing the street is signaled by pedestrian signals. The pedestrian arrives at the crossing when it is safe to start crossing.
Pedestrian Crosswalk Signs Ensure Safety and Prevent Accidents
At intersections, pedestrian crosswalk signs assist in designating right-of-way. However, it is always crucial to exercise caution when crossing a street. Cross always with caution. Be on the lookout for common driving errors.
- Will the driver halt at the flashing red light?
- Is the motorist turning seeking a space in the traffic or is he or she watching for you?
Make eye contact with the drivers of any nearby vehicles before stepping out in front of them if there are any. Make sure they are aware of your presence even if they are stopped to prevent them from starting to move again as you cross the street.
What Type of Sign is a Pedestrian Crossing sign?
The use of symbols rather than words to communicate on road signs is becoming more common in the United States. Symbols provide quick communication with other road users, help people who don’t speak the same language understand each other, and are increasingly used in traffic management systems worldwide. Every road user should be familiar with the symbols on traffic signs to maintain the security and functionality of our transportation infrastructure.
The information contained in traffic signs can often be determined by their hue. Only stop, yield, and prohibition signs are permitted to use red on their signage. A warning sign has a yellow background, while a regulatory sign has a white background. The pedestrian crossing sign is yellow, serving as a warning to drivers.
Pedestrian Safety Tips
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Make yourself visible to drivers
You stand out when you wear bright colors and luminous fabrics. A flashlight can assist you to see where you’re going and increase your visibility if you’re in a dark area. This can also provide vehicle drivers with advance notice of pedestrian activity.
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Avoid dangerous behaviors
Never text or browse the internet on your phone while you are moving. Avoid using your phone when walking or crossing a street to be more aware of your surroundings and decrease hazards and dangers. Walking while texting is distracting and makes it challenging to watch for oncoming vehicles and other potential hazards.
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Look before you step
Regardless of pedestrian crossing signs, pedestrian activity should start after you check for any warning signs. Before crossing, take a glance left, right, and left. While crossing the street, be cautious since even though you can see the automobiles, they might not be able to see you.
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Stay alert
Be always vigilant because there are a lot of distracted drivers on the road. Avoid letting your eyesight be obscured by clothing or caps or allowing yourself to become preoccupied with a phone. To determine whether drivers are seeing you, make eye contact with them.
Common Places Where There Are Pedestrian Crossing Signs on The Road?
The location on a road where pedestrian signs or other markings are utilized to inform pedestrians of when and where to cross is known as a pedestrian crossing or crosswalk. A crosswalk keeps people on foot together because of oncoming traffic. There are pedestrian crossing signs at crossroads and places on busy roads where it is risky to cross without help.
Types of Signals
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Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI)
When approaching an intersection with a corresponding green light in the same direction of travel, a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) normally offers pedestrians a 3–7 second head start. Particularly in areas with a turbulent past, LPIs strengthen pedestrians’ visibility in the intersection and their right-of-way overturning automobiles.
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Exclusive Pedestrian Signal
For downtown locations with heavy pedestrian traffic, exclusive pedestrian phasing is a proven safety strategy (read more at FHWA). Additionally, Single-Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) procedures could be needed. When a manual call button is pressed, when pedestrians are identified by sensors, or even when there is little traffic, it is triggered during the pedestrian phase.
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Accessible Pedestrian Signals
The accessibility of pedestrian signals has completely changed how blind and visually impaired individuals move around. They make it possible for them to move about freely and safely.
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Countdown Timers
A regular pedestrian signal head plus an additional display that counts down the amount of time until the crossing time is reached makes up pedestrian countdown signals.
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Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon
The Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon, or RRFB, is another signal type that is used to supplement mid-block crosswalks. When a pedestrian is crossing at an uncontrolled crosswalk, that is, when a regular traffic signal is not in operation, RRFBs flash yellow lights to warn drivers.
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HAWK Signals
The HAWK beacon (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk beacon), also known as the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon, is another type of pedestrian signal that is utilized at mid-block sites. When a pedestrian is facing the crosswalk, a HAWK beacon seems to be any other pedestrian signal, but until a pedestrian attempts to cross the street, no signal illumination is seen by the driver of a moving vehicle.
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Crosswalks
When there is a traffic signal on a crosswalk, we typically refer to it as being lit (or unlit, if you prefer).
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Median Refuge
A median with a refuge area known as a pedestrian refuge island (or crossing space) is designed to help protect pedestrians who are crossing a road.
Contact the Jones Firm For Legal Representation
Should you require any further information on pedestrian crossing signs, please don’t hesitate to contact The Jones Firm! Contact us today!
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