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What are the official guidelines for marking crosswalks.
The City of St. George follows State policies with regard to traffic control.
The Utah Code requires us to follow the national guidelines outlined in
the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or "MUTCD".
Traffic control devices include signal lights, traffic signs, and paint
markings. The MUTCD covers all aspects of the placement, construction and
maintenance of every form of approved traffic control. The guidelines prescribe
five basic requirements for all devices. They must:
- Fulfill a need
- Command attention
- Convey a clear, simple meaning
- Command respect of road users
- Give adequate time for proper response
The MUTCD emphasizes "uniformity" of traffic control devices. A uniform
device conforms to the regulations for dimensions, color, wording and graphics.
The standard device should convey the same meaning at all times. Consistent
use of traffic control devices protects the clarity of their messages. As
stated in the MUTCD "uniformity" must also mean treating similar situations
in the same way.
What is a crosswalk?
Crosswalks are either "marked" or "unmarked". The MUTCD defines a "crosswalk"
as the portion of a roadway at an intersection, which is an extension of
the curb and property lines of the intersecting street or is any other portion
of a roadway which is marked as a pedestrian crossing location by painted
lines. A "marked crosswalk" is any crosswalk which is delineated by white
or yellow painted markings placed on the pavement. All other crosswalk locations
are, therefore, "unmarked".
How are crosswalks used?
At any crosswalk (marked or unmarked) drivers must yield the right-of-way
to pedestrians. Crosswalks are marked mainly to encourage pedestrians to
use a particular crossing. Studies conducted on the relative safety of crosswalks
support minimal installation of marked crosswalks.
The City of San Diego, California, studied intersections at which there
were both marked and unmarked crosswalks. The results were surprising. Although
2 ½ times as many people used the marked crosswalks, 6 times as many accidents
occurred in the marked crosswalks. A pedestrian safety study in Long Beach,
California, reported 8 times as many accidents in marked cross walks compared
to unmarked crosswalks. Similar studies in other cities have confirmed these
results.
What causes accidents at marked crosswalks?
Research suggests that marked crosswalks give pedestrians a false sense
of security. Pedestrians often step off the curb into the crosswalk expecting
drivers of approaching vehicles to stop. However, drivers frequently fail
to stop and cause an accident. At all crosswalks, both marked and unmarked,
it is the pedestrian's responsibility to be cautious and alert when crossing
the street.
At mid-block crosswalks on multi-lane roadways, another frequent factor
in causing accidents involves the driver of a vehicle in the lane nearest
to the curb stopping for a pedestrian that is waiting to cross or who is
already in the crosswalk. The driver of a second vehicle traveling in the
lane next to the stopped vehicle tried to pass the stopped vehicles and
hits the pedestrian, even though it is illegal for drivers to pass a stopped
vehicle at a crosswalk. Pedestrians should be very cautious when walking
in a crosswalk, especially when their visibility is limited by vehicles
already stopped at the crosswalk.
Where are crosswalks normally
marked?
Crosswalks are marked at intersections where there is substantial conflict
between vehicle and pedestrian movements, where significant pedestrian concentrations
occur, where pedestrians could not otherwise recognize the proper place
to cross, and where traffic movements are controlled. Examples of such locations
are:
- Approved school crossings
- Signalized and four way stop intersections where there is significant
pedestrian traffic and one or more crossing locations have been prohibited.
These examples follow the philosophy of marking crosswalks as a form of
encouragement. In the first case, we are encouraging school children to
use a crossing which is normally being monitored. In the second case, we
are encouraging all pedestrians to avoid a prohibited crossing. It is the
City's policy not to paint crosswalks at midblock locations where traffic
is not controlled by stop signs or traffic signals. Painted crosswalks should
only be used where necessary to direct pedestrians along the safest route.
What are special school crosswalks?
Crosswalks should be marked at all intersections on the "suggested route
to school", available from your local school. They should also be marked
where there is high conflict between vehicles and students (while crossing),
where students are permitted to cross between intersections, or where students
could not otherwise cross. The best safety measure for school age children
is to educate them on how and where to safely cross the street.
For more information please contact the City of St. George Engineering Department
at 674-4287 or email us at mpalma@infowest.com.
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