The Crosswalk: Pedestrians, drivers should follow crosswalk etiquette Published Oct. 31, 2014 By CWSG VPP Team TINKER AIR FORCE BASE - Okla. -- Why did the chicken use the crosswalk? Crossing active roadways is a risky proposition that's been around a long, long time. Evidence of pedestrian crossings existed more than 2,000 years ago in the ruins of Pompeii. Raised blocks on the road permitted pedestrians to cross the street without stepping onto the road itself, which doubled up as Pompeii's drainage and sewage disposal system. The first pedestrian crossing signal was erected on Bridge Street, Westminster, in London in December 1868. It was the idea of John Peak Knight, a railway engineer looking to provide a safer means for pedestrians wanting to cross that busy thoroughfare. Unfortunately his design used gas to illuminate the lights; there was a leak, then an explosion injuring the signal operator in 1869. It took another 50 years before another attempt was made to provide signaled street crossings. Marked crosswalks, either at controlled or uncontrolled locations, have a dual purpose. They are visual cues to both pedestrians and vehicle operators. They indicate to pedestrians, "Hey, pedestrian, cross here where drivers have a better chance of seeing you!" They also alert vehicle operators to locations where pedestrians are more likely to be crossing the road. However, marked crosswalks are not mystical safe zones that magically stop cars when a person steps into one and they are not decorative white lines on a road for vehicle operators to ignore. The Federal Highway Administration says crosswalk markings "provide guidance for pedestrians who are crossing roadways by defining and delineating paths on approaches to and within signalized intersections, and on approaches to other intersections where traffic stops. In conjunction with signs and other measures, crosswalk markings help to alert road users of a designated pedestrian crossing point across roadways at locations that are not controlled by traffic control signals or stop or yield signs. At non-intersection locations, crosswalk markings legally establish the crosswalk." States have specific provisions that provide pedestrians with some form of right-of-way in crosswalks. Although they vary from state to state, the fundamental principle remains the same -- pedestrians are legitimate users of the transportation system and should be able to use it safely. In Oklahoma, pedestrians within a crosswalk have the right-of-way. Crosswalks are only effective if both pedestrians and drivers do their part. When using crosswalks, pedestrians should pause before stepping and make sure drivers see them, make eye contact and proceed only when they're sure traffic is stopped. Vehicle operators, when approaching a crosswalk, should look for pedestrians, make eye contact, come to a complete stop and remain stopped until pedestrians clear the crosswalk. That's pretty simple right? So why did the chicken use the crosswalk? The chicken obviously heard that crosswalks serve to increase the margin of safety for crossing roadways and was sure she would not get her eggs scrambled. Report crosswalks that are either in bad shape or not living up the goal of increasing the margin of safety for crossing roadways. Call 739-SAFE or use the Online Hazard Reporting System - AF Form 457.