advertisement

Crosswalks and safety As Buffalo Grove discussion showed, there is no safety panacea on dangerous roads

Village leaders concerned about pedestrian safety in Buffalo Grove confronted a paradox this week that is common throughout the suburbs: If drivers ignore safety warnings and the law, are planners inviting trouble by putting crosswalks at busy streets?

Perhaps the best response to questions like that came from a traffic planner as Buffalo Grove trustees reflected on the village's application for Illinois Department of Transportation grants to build two pedestrian crossings.

Village Engineer Darren Monico said he emphasizes that modifications like these are safety improvements, but they aren't necessarily safe.

"I do not want you to feel safe in these crosswalks," Monico said he tells people. "I want you to wait, look for those cars, and make sure they stop."

That's an important distinction for pedestrians and community planners alike to keep in mind in these locations.

Whether it's wise or not, whether it's safe or not, whether it's even legal or not, people sometimes gravitate to certain locations to cross multiple-lane, high-traffic roadways. Conscientious communities must respond to those behaviors, and crosswalks with various safety enhancements are an option they should consider.

But as Buffalo Grove trustees observed - and numerous other suburbs have experienced as well - crosswalks, even with flashing lights and middle-of-the-road pedestrian refuges, are no panacea.

The trustees cited an existing crosswalk on Weiland Road as an example.

"We're talking about some four-lane thoroughfares here where pedestrians are walking through, following the signs, and motorists are not slowing down and not following the directions," lamented Trustee Joanne Johnson.

Others concurred, echoing concerns that other suburbs have long been struggling to address.

Motorists, of course, have responsibilities in all this. State law requires them to stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks, and simple respect for the safety of others ought to compel them to take precautions.

But they don't always, and their failures can be catastrophic.

Indeed, as the Buffalo Grove discussion also noted, times may come when law enforcement needs to get involved more directly and more frequently.

Ultimately, practical realities will be different at every location, and community planners have to take those into consideration as they design safety improvements. No option can be left off the table. But at the same time, pedestrians also will be wise to recognize that no intervention absolves them from the need to manage their safety in dangerous situations.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.