Accidents Newsroom

In A Perfect World We Could Isolate Pedestrians From All Vehicular Traffic

We initially had the same concern. However, from our experience it appears that the flags are not promoting a false sense of security or perhaps the increased willingness of drivers to yield to pedestrians carrying flags has offset the false sense of security danger. However, I tend to think that a false sense of security has not materialized and that just the opposite may have occurred. In my informal observations of pedestrians using the flags, they generally appear more alert while crossing. Perhaps this is due to the extra thinking required to go over and pick up a flag – they are now actively doing something to promote their own safety; being alert while crossing is a key to crossing safely.

**A gap analysis needs to be made to determine if a 'mid-block' crossing can be made. Other solutions need to be pursued.

So assume a study has been completed and we determined a mid-block crossing is warranted. Now let’s spend some real money (as compared to installing flags) and install in-pavement flashing lights or overhead flashing lights at the crosswalk. Aren’t we also promoting a false sense of security with these devices?

**If the businesses are really concerned about safety, then they will donate the flags without any words on the flag.

Not necessarily.

**They can still take the IRS Tax Credit.. and yes, placing any legend is advertising irregardless of how many businesses did or did not participate in the 'program'.

I agree. But I never said it was not advertising. However, it does not appear to be a very good form of advertising judging from the response. I suspect that since very few motorists can see the 2” high text on the flags, this I the reason for the low interest/participation from businesses.

**Yes, as a transportation professional I am MOST definitely opposed to the Adopt-a-Highway program. Being popular does NOT make it right or safe!

Yes, as a transportation professional I also agree that popularity does not make something right or safe. But please remember, we did not install the flags because they are popular. In my professional opinion the crosswalk flags do improve crosswalk safety and we are hopeful to demonstrate this in a study that’s currently underway.

**I work in the street with moving traffic. I know first hand what this mandates. John Q. citizen and children have no business in this hazardous environment.

In a perfect world we could isolate pedestrians from all vehicular traffic. However, in our world that’s never going to happen. People need to and will cross the street at uncontrolled locations and so they do have business being in that hazardous environment. It’s our job as transportation professionals to make those crossings as safe as possible given our constrained budgets.

**The 'Service Signs' that say 'McDonalds 0.5 Miles' or 'BP Gas This exit' are NOT advertising. So do not go there.

But we must go there. Why is a service sign on a freeway with a McDonald’s logo, visible to all motorists, not advertising while small text on a flag, not visible to most motorists, is advertising?

**High-visibility clothing for highway workers is not equitable to flags being used by pedestrians. If you think it is, explain why you think so.

I think that high-visibility clothing for highway workers is equitable to crosswalk flags in the sense that both are used to improve the visibility of pedestrians in the roadway.

The reason I brought up high-visibility clothing is that, just like for flags, there are specific standards for it in the MUTCD. Do you feel that any pedestrian wearing high-visibility clothing in the roadway, not meeting the standards of the MUTCD, is utilizing an unauthorized traffic control device? I answer this question “No”. And I feel the same about the crosswalk flags – they are not traffic control devices.

**A driver is not going to be reminded of their legal responsibility simply by being able to see a pedestrian. A police officer writing a ticket and money to the court will!

Tickets and the associated fines entice people, with no respect for laws, to obey. Other drivers, knowing the law, will obey regardless of the threat of a ticket or fine. However, all drivers, knowing the law, must first be able to SEE (perception) the pedestrian before deciding whether or not to obey the law (reaction.) SEEING the pedestrian reminds the driver of the law which requires the reaction. Therefore, if you make a pedestrian more visible, a greater percentage of drivers will see the pedestrian (and probably sooner!), they will be REMINDED of the law.