Lakeland Pedestrian Safety Zone Starts Monday

LAKELAND -- State transportation officials are turning on a new system intended to keep pedestrians safer on a dangerous stretch of Memorial Boulevard Monday (24th).

Drivers have seen some of the lights flashing as engineers test the "High-Intensity Activated CrossWalk Signals (HAWKS)." The system will include signals at four intersections along Memorial just east of Lakeland Hills Boulevard.

When a pedestrian pushes a crossing button, overhead signals first flash yellow, then go solid yellow. That means drivers should slow down and prepare to stop. The lights then go solid red to allow pedestrians to cross safely. When the light begins flashing red, drivers should go forward with caution.

The City of Lakeland, the Florida Highway Patrol and the Lakeland Police Department will have officers or troopers at each HAWKS location to help explain the process to pedestrians during the first days of operation.

The HAWKS system is part of a safety improvement project for Memorial (U.S. 92) that includes better streetlights and sidewalks, pavement repairs and intersection modifications.

As this is happening, a bill in the legislature could make all crosswalk lights red across the state.

Listen to an interview with Brian Rick of FDOT:

Photo: Getty Images


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