Crosswalks are designated areas for pedestrians to cross the road, often found at intersections or in the middle of long roads. Traffic laws require drivers to yield to pedestrians and prohibit parking or stopping on crosswalks. Crosswalks are marked with signs and road markings, and may include indicators for pedestrians. In busy areas, pedestrian underpasses or overpasses may replace crosswalks.
A crosswalk is an area of the road designated as a pedestrian crossing area. A common place for crosswalks is at an intersection, where traffic may already be disrupted, thus making it easier to accommodate pedestrians who need to cross the street. On particularly long roads, a crosswalk may also appear in the middle of the road so that pedestrians can cross safely in the middle of the road. Crosswalks can be found all over the world, in a wide variety of styles and locations.
In many regions, specific areas of the highway code concern pedestrian crossings. For example, traffic may need to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, and parking on or around a crosswalk is restricted so that pedestrians can move freely and safely see oncoming cars. Stopping in the middle of pedestrian crossings can also be grounds for a fine. Many traffic laws also prohibit cars from entering crosswalks while there are pedestrians.
A crosswalk design usually includes road signs to warn drivers that a crosswalk is approaching, and clear road markings outlining the crosswalk. One of the most common markings is a striped pattern, which is why crosswalks are sometimes known as “pedestrian crossings.” The crosswalk may also include signs to alert pedestrians when it is safe to walk.
At traffic light-controlled intersections, the traffic lights are connected to indicators used by pedestrians that tell them when they can and cannot cross. These signs are usually visual and aural so that blind people know when it is safe to cross the road and can include symbols or writing, often even changing colors to make the signs even easier to read. A pedestrian crossing is also required by law in many regions to be wheelchair accessible, meaning that curbs must be sloped where the pavement interfaces with the crossing so that people using wheelchairs can easily access the pedestrian crossing.
In areas with heavy traffic or frequent conflicts between pedestrians and drivers, a pedestrian crossing may be removed and replaced with a pedestrian underpass or overpass, which allows pedestrians to cross the street without disrupting the flow of traffic. This technique is often preferred in busy urban areas where pedestrians could be endangered by reckless or inconsiderate drivers.
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