Do marked crosswalks provide better pedestrian safety than unmarked crosswalks?
Not always. The city receives frequent requests to install marked crosswalks at uncontrolled intersections or at some mid-block location between uncontrolled intersections. An uncontrolled intersection is one without stop signs, yield signs, or traffic signals. These requests almost always come from the sincere belief held by some citizens that a marked crosswalk provides some kind of additional protection to the pedestrians who use them. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception that can be extremely hazardous.

There have been many site studies of pedestrian safety at marked and unmarked crosswalks at uncontrolled intersections.

The primary thrust of these studies is that marked crosswalks give pedestrians a false sense of security. While the crosswalk markings are very obvious to the pedestrian, they are often much less visible to the motorists who drive over them. Pedestrians must always act defensively when motorists are in close proximity to them, but some pedestrians think that white pavement markings will somehow stop, or slow down, a moving vehicle, and this is obviously just not the case.

Show All Answers

1. Why do I have to wait so long for a green light on a side street?
2. How do I report a problem with a traffic signal, lane markings, or traffic signs?
3. What should a driver do when approaching an intersection in which the traffic signal is not working?
4. How is the placement of traffic signals determined?
5. What is a Traffic Signal Warrant?
6. What are the Traffic Signal Warrants?
7. What is the justification for a left turn arrow?
8. How do pedestrian signals work?
9. Is it really necessary for me to push a button to activate the pedestrian signal, or can I just wait for the light to change?
10. Why does it always say "don't walk" before I've completed crossing the street?
11. Can I count on a safe crossing if I carefully follow the pedestrian signals?
12. What are the pedestrian rights and responsibilities when walking along or crossing a street?
13. When is a crosswalk unsafe?
14. Do marked crosswalks provide better pedestrian safety than unmarked crosswalks?
15. Why are the words "walk" and "don't walk" being replaced by symbols?
16. What is the roadside clear zone?
17. Why can't we use speed bumps on our block?
18. Are traffic control devices on private property required to meet State standards?
19. What is Florida law in regard to school speed zones and school buses?