With the arrival of spring comes the myriad of walkers and runners out to shed those winter pounds and atrophied muscles. As part of that group, I ventured out for a walk this weekend. Once again I was struck with one of my pet peeves, the pedestrian traffic light. Why do these walk lights cause me so much grief?



Reasonably the crossing of a thoroughfare should not be conjuring up that much dread, or so one would think. There are pedestrian traffic lights after all and in theory one only has to push the button and the walk light will stop the traffic and allow one to cross the street safely. At least that is the way it is supposed to work.

Unreasonably Short Time For Pedestrian Traffic Lights

Walkers are you with me ? This is what happens in my neck of the woods. I come to a large intersection and push the button for the pedestrian traffic light. The walking figure on the pedestrian light turns bright white and I proceed to cross the four lane street. But wait, I barely get across the first lane and the light has changed and it is not safe to be crossing.

How can someone be expected to get across a four lane boulevard in a few seconds. Even if I run I can barely make it across the thoroughfare before the light has changed back from the safety of the pedestrian traffic light to a no walking red light.

How do the drivers react to this? My walking partners and I attempt to run full speed ahead to avoid getting hit by an automobile attempting to start off quickly with the changing light. I notice the anxious look on the faces of the drivers, wanting me to get out of their way. It appears as though they are holding themselves back from running me over with extreme restraint, as if any moment the restraints will let loose and my partners I will become road kill.

Pedestrian Traffic Lights Should Be Timed More Appropriately

Have we become so fast paced and uncaring in our society that the pedestrian is no longer important? What of those who cannot drive for one reason or another. Must they face this kind of unfair treatment every time a walk must take them across a large street. Is the destination of the automobile driver so much more important than the safety of the pedestrian.

I have noticed that where there is a school the traffic light for walking allows enough time for actually crossing the street. While this is a good thing, I guestion why this is also not the case with other pedestrian traffic lights.

Many of the students that cross at the school pedestrian traffic light may very well have to cross at several streets, some of which may be four lane boulevards. These boulevards have pedestrian traffic lights which last only a few seconds making the crossing of them much less safe then the streets close to the school where a school safety may be provided to stop traffic and aid the students in crossing.

If I feel threatened by the impatience of the automobile drivers and the apprehension that I could get hit by a car, imagine how unnerving it could be for a child crossing the street where the pedestrian traffic light does not gives them a reasonable amount of time to get across.

How does your town or city measure up? My city is lacking tremendously when it comes to the issue of pedestrian traffic lights. I find myself wondering what thoughts were in the minds of the city officials who set the time limits on the walk lights. Perhaps these officials need to be taken for a long walk through the city to experience firsthand the dilemma when attempting to cross streets with the aid of pedestrian traffic lights that does not give sufficient time to safely get across.

Spring is in the air, flowers and trees are budding. Temperatures are warm, with sweet breezes and delicate scents to entice you outdoors for a walk. Walking should be a safe and pleasant experience. For the safety and enjoyment of walkers and runners improvement in the time frame pedestrian traffic lights allow for crossing the streets need to be extended to be reasonable and fair.