A pedestrian crossing sign is a warning sign that indicates you are nearing a location where pedestrians frequently cross the road (a crosswalk or other crossing point). Typically, the sign is a yellow or fluorescent yellow-green diamond with an image of a walking person (or a pair of pedestrians).
Here’s what it means and what you should do:
Slow down and be prepared to stop. The sign warns you that people may be crossing the street in this area, so you should be extra cautious and watch for anyone on foot.
These signs are often posted in advance of crosswalks in areas not controlled by traffic lights, such as mid-block crosswalks, trail crossings, or near schools, parks, and residential areas.
If there is a marked crosswalk, pedestrians in the crosswalk (or about to enter it) have the right-of-way. In most states, you are required to yield – and stop if necessary – for pedestrians in a crosswalk.
Even if the crossing is not clearly marked, if people are crossing, you must yield. The sign is advising you that this is a designated crossing point.
Often, near schools, you might see a specific variant: a pentagon-shaped fluorescent yellow-green sign with two figures (a school zone/school crossing sign). But a general pedestrian crossing sign is diamond-shaped.
If you see someone waiting at the crosswalk, it’s good practice (and often law) to stop and let them cross safely.
Also, be mindful that where there’s one pedestrian, there might be others about to cross (like someone jogging behind them, etc.). So scan the sides of the road.
At night, these crossing areas can be hard to see, so the sign is a crucial heads-up.
In essence, a pedestrian crossing sign is telling you: “Caution: Pedestrians may be crossing here. Slow down and be ready to stop for them.” Always give the pedestrians the right-of-way in these scenarios as required by law – it’s both for their safety and your legal obligation. Not yielding to pedestrians in a crosswalk can result in hefty penalties and, more importantly, can seriously injure someone.
