Traffic & Transit
More Flashing Yellow Lights Being Added At Crosswalks
"We often hear of people complaining about drivers routinely failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks."
From McHenry County: A sign with flashing yellow lights that is appearing at more and more crosswalks in McHenry County is meant to alert drivers to stop for pedestrians and cyclists. With warm and sunny weather finally back for pedestrians and bicyclists to enjoy, the McHenry County Division of Transportation is reminding motorists to heed the newer and unfamiliar signs equipped with rectangular rapid flashing beacons. County highways with the flashing crosswalk signs now include Ridgefield, Virginia, Walkup and Ackman roads.
“Although rectangular rapid flashing beacons have been around since 2008, they are appearing more and more frequently on county, municipal and state roads, and drivers need to become familiar with them,” Director of Transportation/County Engineer Joe Korpalski said. “We often hear of people complaining about drivers routinely failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. We don’t want to see anyone hurt or worse.”
Not everyone is aware that drivers must come to a stop when a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk. The presence of signs in the road may also accompany the flahsers to further help drivers be aware of a pedestrian and bike crossing. The more that drivers are aware and begin
to slow down, the safer the road will be for all users. The flashing beacons are another tool in the effort to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities at crosswalks. A 2017 analysis of three years’ worth of IDOT records by the Daily Herald revealed that a cyclist or pedestrian is killed at an Illinois crosswalk at an average of about one per week. Pedestrians and cyclists should not take the flashing lights for granted, and should make sure that traffic is stopping before crossing a crosswalk equipped with a rectangular rapid flashing beacon.
Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Caryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Visit the Illinois Secretary of State’s website at www.cyberdriveillinois.com to refresh yourself on the state’s Rules of the Road. To learn more about the McHenry County Division of Transportation, and to watch a video of a rectangular rapid flashing beacon in action, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mchenrycountydot, or follow us on Twitter at @DOTMcHenry.