CROSSINGS

There are many crosswalks in this town. Some of them are extra-special, truly un-pedestrian, crossings, if you will.

Like most others, these crosswalks have zebra stripes in the road and the signage you would expect. Here these extra-special variety, found in several different neighbourhoods of the city, have a little more signage than usual (or necessary) as well, with one sign on each side of the street facing in both directions and an additional pair of double-sized signs hanging above the roadway — for a total of six signs. Combined with all of this are eight clusters of eight amber LEDs that flash from all sides of the road and in all directions when a pedestrian has indicated they wish to cross (and loudly announcing what could not be more clearly and completely spelled out by the massive blocks of white spanning all lanes.) But the cherry on the top is the message to would-be crossers.

Certainly you've heard the beeps and chirps many crosswalks deploy to indicate it's time to cross. And you’ve probably heard in more recent times the addition of a voice telling you it is safe to cross or maybe even which street at an intersection is now free to cross. Here, as in other places, we also have at least one crossing that tells folks the whole intersection is stopped for motorists and pedestrian crossing occurs in all directions simultaneously. But these extra-special crosswalks I'm talking about have a voice telling you that it is time to cross (in the crosswalk, surrounded by many crosswalk signs in any direction a motorist could be looking, and accompanied by several dozen strobing yellow lights) but with the addition of a friendly reminder that you cross at your own peril and must remain vigilant as motorists still may not stop. Apparently, this is where we're at with our trained, experienced, licensed, and insured road users. Yikes!