Define Pedestrian Crossing

Busy street corners often contain pedestrian crossings, or crosswalks, placed to make it easier and safer for individuals to cross the street without risk of accident, injury or harm from passing vehicles. Countries worldwide utilize these crossings, containing stationary signals and signs to help control traffic and pedestrian movement.

Definition

• According to Merriam Webster's Dictionary, the word "pedestrian" comes from the Latin term "pedester" meaning "going on foot." Current definitions of the word include "of, relating to, or designed for walking." The definition of crosswalk reads: "a specially paved or marked path for pedestrians crossing a street or road."

Identification

• The Illinois Vehicle Code lists a more technical definition and defines "crosswalk" as "That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs or, in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway, and in the absence of a sidewalk on one side of the highway, that part of the highway included within the extension of the lateral line of the existing sidewalk to the side of the highway without the sidewalk, with such extension forming a right angle to the centerline of the highway; ..."

Function

• Crosswalk signals show pedestrians when they can cross a street safely and give them the right of way to enter the crossing. Drivers must yield to these pedestrians or they can be held liable in case of injury or accident.

Signs

• Crossing signs show lighted messages indicating "Walk" or an image of a person walking when it is safe for you to enter the crosswalk. A steady red hand or "Don't Walk" message tells you to remain on the curb. A flashing "Don't Walk" or red hand indicates traffic flow will resume shortly and if you are in the crosswalk, you should hurry to the other side. If still on the side, you should not enter the roadway but wait until the "Walk" signal appears.

Fun Fact

• Although emphasis on safety prevailed in development of pedestrian crossings, the Washington County, Oregon, Land Use and Transportation Department found an increase in accidents at intersections with crosswalks because pedestrian alertness and awareness of vehicle traffic is higher on streets free of crosswalk signals.