Pedestrian Safety at Uncontrolled Crosswalks

The City of Los Angeles is committed to increasing mobility options and improving safety for pedestrians. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation considers safety tradeoffs for painted versus non-marked crosswalks at locations without stop signs or traffic signals.

		The Los Angeles Department of Transportation has found that pedestrian accidents are significantly reduced at unmarked crosswalks located at non-street intersections. Pedestrian safety can be improved at unmarked crosswalks because:
		Marked crosswalks give pedestrians a false sense of security Motorists disregard marked crosswalks where pedestrian volume is light

LADOT staff periodically review existing marked pedestrian crosswalks to determine whether they should be removed. Crosswalks are sometimes removed where pedestrian volume is light or at crosswalks that are nearby traffic signals.

On the other hand, some unpainted crosswalks are studied to determine whether the Department of Transportation should mark them. Marked crosswalks may then be enhanced with warning signs, pavement markings and additional red curb zones.

		Pedestrian crossings are only marked when:
		Many pedestrians cross there, such as at retail, bus stop or public building areas The location is a preferred school crossing The location is difficult for motorists to see