Watch CBS News

Glendale Adds Pedestrian Crossing Flags Under Pilot Program

GLENDALE (CBSLA.com) — In an effort to keep pedestrians safe, the city of Glendale has added crossing flags to two crosswalks under a pilot program.

The bright orange crossing flags have been put in place to make pedestrians like Kathy Wallace more visible to drivers.

"A lot of people are injured every year and killed even so I think these would help," Wallace, a Glendale resident, told KCAL9's Juan Fernandez.

The idea had been in the works for a while and Maro Yacoubian, Glendale's Transportation and Parking Commissioner, helped bring it to the city.

"Originally from Europe. Brought back to the United States. Very successful right now in Kirkland, Washington," Yacoubian said of the flags.

The concept is simple.

Pedestrians are to pick up a flag and hold it up high while crossing the street. They will then return it to an identical holder on the other side.

Not only do the flags alert drivers but they also make pedestrians more aware of their surroundings.

If the pilot program is successful, the city hopes to have many more of the flags at other crosswalks with the next generation being made out of reflective material.

So far, two crosswalks in Glendale have the crossing flags. They include: E. Colorado and Jackson streets and Kimlin and E. Chevy Chase drives.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.