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What is the Purpose of Crossing Flags?
Crossing flags, made of bright colors
(orange, yellow), are designed to be seen.
There are six flags posted at the end of
crosswalks at an intersection. A pedestrian
crossing that intersection takes one flag,
waves it while crossing, and deposits it
at the other end. There are two benefits:
clearly signal the pedestrian's intent
to cross at that crosswalk, and make the
pedestrian more visible to motorists. This
leads to fewer vehicle-on-pedestrian collisions
at a relatively small cost to the City.
Why Pedestrian Crossing Flags in Woodinville?
The City Council created a Citizen Advisory
Panel (CAP) on Public Safety to work with
City staff to determine possible public
safety improvements for the City. The 6-member
Citizen Advisory panel was selected by
the Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety Commission
and included one member of that
Commission. The CAP created a list of priorities
divided into three phases. The phases indicate
the levels of work
required to complete projects: short-term,
mid-term, and long-term. The crossing flag
project is a Phase I project. More Phase
I projects will be rolling out through-out
the year.
Crossing flags were installed at the
following intersections:
- 175th / 140th
- On Garden Way between the Top Food Grocery Store and the Theater
- 171st / 131st
- 180th /140th behind the Target Store
How to Use the Flag
Pedestrian flags improve a pedestrian's
visibility to oncoming motorized traffic.
By waving or holding the flag away from
the body, the pedestrian gains the attention
of oncoming traffic. The most common way
to cross a street with a pedestrian sign
is to stand at the edge of the sidewalk
near the roadway and look both ways for
oncoming traffic. When traffic seems to
either have stopped for you or is non-existent,
hold the flag out from your body (or wave
the flag) and cross the street. Remember
to continue to watch for cars as conditions
may change.
The following links show this
process in greater detail.
Excel
as a Pedestrian - video courtesy of
Kirkland, WA
Excel
as a Senior - video courtesy of Kirkland,
WA
Page last modified:
October 19, 2010
