Pedestrian Flags Over Dane County
Have you seen those red flags posted at pedestrian crossings around Dane County? These flags are tools that pedestrians can use to signal motorists of their intention to cross the street, in keeping with Wisconsin state law which requires that cars yield to pedestrians. Neighborhoods, business districts, police departments, and others can "adopt" these sites with support from Safe Community Coalition. Currently 50 sites are up and running at pedestrian crossings throughout Dane County thanks to adopting organizations.
Pedestrian flag applications can be submitted at any time, and will be approved subject to a safety review by local traffic authorities.
Flag Monitor Job Description
We really appreciate your taking on this task! We know that pedestrians, especially the elderly and those with children, come to depend on the flags. It’s important that the flags be there consistently, and that’s where you come in – thank you!
We strongly suggest that there be at least two flag monitors designated for each site. Having two or more responsible parties ensures that your site is covered in the event your “co-flag monitor” is on vacation, etc. Or, if you’re a business or police department, asking a number of employees to help monitor a flagged crossing during different shifts helps keep flags at your site when pedestrians need them. Here is a basic “job description” for you, as official flag monitor.
- Please bring the flags in at night, and put them back out first thing in the morning. Most theft and vandalism happen during the first 2 – 4 weeks, so this job is particularly important early on. Flags also tend to disappear faster on weekend nights, so please arrange to bring them in on Friday and Saturday night!
- Check the flags daily (including weekends) to make sure there’s an adequate supply. Early in the morning is best, as late night is when they are most likely to disappear. * Replace missing or battered flags using those extras supplied by the Safe Communities.
- Collect flags needing repair. If you have a staple gun with 1/4” staples and you’re up to the task, please feel free to repair them yourself. Or, the adopting organization should have an alternate plan/volunteer to make small repairs.
- Please let your neighborhood representative know if instructions need replacing or container is coming loose, etc. Help may be available through Safe Communities (256-6713), or the adopting organization can make repairs directly.
- If all the flags are on one side, please redistribute them, and if it happens a lot, keep adding flags until the problem becomes minor. Thank you!
For more information about Pedestrian Flags Over Dane County, contact Safe Communities at 256-6713, or Ann Clark, Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood Association, at 238-5612.
Tips for assertive but safe pedestrians
- Point to the other side of the street with the flag high, while standing with at least one foot in the street (the legal trigger for drivers to yield). Look assertive!! If there's an empty parked car that can protect you, cross the parking lane in front of it so you are more visible to drivers.
- Gauge the traffic in the lane nearest you, and make and maintain eye contact with the first driver who has time make a gradual stop (Cars take a long time to stop; at 25 mph allow 75 feet or about five car lengths, up to double that if you're doing this for the first time, if you're a slow walker, for speeders, or for bad weather conditions). Let cars who are too close to stop go on by.
- Maintain eye contact with your selected driver; step out into his lane only when you are sure the driver is going to stop.
- Safely cross the lane in front of the stopped car while looking for the first car in the next lane whose driver can easily stop. Then maintain eye contact with that driver. Move carefully in front of the new car across the lane as it stops. Repeat lane by lane until you have crossed all traffic lanes.
- IMPORTANT: Whenever you can (without being distracted) give drivers a smile, a wave, or "Thanks!" to demonstrate to drivers that pedestrians appreciate their courtesy! Remember that the flag is a helpful tool, but you still have to use normal caution. Don't ever step into the path of a car when you are not sure the driver will stop.
Tips for responsible drivers
- Obey the speed limit and keep well behind cars in front of you, so you can easily stop for pedestrians, and be well-positioned when the car ahead of you does stop.
- Watch street edges and sidewalks AHEAD carefully for pedestrians and when you see someone obviously ready to cross, apply your brakes early and gently so the car behind you can stop, too.
- Always assume a pedestrian is crossing the street whenever a driver in front of you, or in the lane next to you, slows down or stops. Never pass a slowed or stopped car until you are sure no one is crossing the street. Fine: $222.50! It's extremely dangerous! 4. Stop for the pedestrian at least a car length or two short of the crosswalk so cars behind you and the pedestrian can more easily see each other around your car. Remember that the next time you may be the pedestrian, and this pedestrian may be the driver waiting for you. And thanks for stopping!