In the past few weeks, several residents have reached out to the Town with questions and concerns about the new traffic signal at King Street and South Greeley. After the holiday break, New Castle Police Chief Jim Carroll provided Bell Middle School students with some additional guidance about how to safely cross the street using the new pedestrian signals. However, pedestrians are not the only ones that need to adjust to the new crosswalks – drivers need to obey the traffic laws and STOP for pedestrians in the crosswalks. Here is a refresher lesson from the Chief:
Our pedestrian signals consist of the illuminated symbols of a walking person and an upraised hand. The meanings of the indications are as follows:
A steady illuminated symbol of a walking person, means that a pedestrian may enter the roadway and proceed in the direction of the indication.- A flashing illuminated symbol of an upraised hand, means that a pedestrian may not start to cross the roadway in the direction of the indication, but any pedestrian who has partly completed the crossing during the steady WALK indication may continue across.
- A steady illuminated symbol of an upraised hand, means that a pedestrian cannot legally enter the roadway.
- Before turning right or left on a green light, drivers must look in all directions and STOP for pedestrians.
It is important to note that in most locations the WALK indication is not displayed for the entire time required to safely cross the street. When driving, be aware that pedestrians will most likely still legally be in the crosswalk and have the right of way when the DON’T WALK sign is flashing and you should slow down or stop if necessary to give them time to finish crossing the street.