Before I start the guide, I want the thank those using the crosswalks on campus today that totally failed at doing so which gave me another idea/tip for this entry This guide does contain images, so to cut down loading time some of it will be under the cut. Anyways.

One thing that I have learned over the years of living here is that people fail at using crosswalks. I don’t understand why. Signs posted everywhere with direct and simple instructions how to use it. But people still fail at it. So here is a guide for those that have problems or someone who does.

This is a basic crosswalk. There’s a sign that tells you point blank to push the button to cross. Granted the image of of the person walking looks a little funny but it’s safe to say people can get the general idea. The concept is simple you push the button, wait for the angry hand to change symbols and walk across. But it’s not that easy for people.

Here is a basic scenario.

Here is the general scene. You’ve just left some random place where you did some random stuff with other random people. You need to cross the four lanes of traffic where some very odd looking girl is driving a very odd and ugly looking pink car. If you pay close attention you’ll notice the crosswalk on the other side. The angry red/orange hand means DON’T WALK. So remember if you see this:

This means DON’T WALK. Got it? Red hand = no walky. Why? Because you’ll get hit by cars or people on bikes or people speed walking on the side of the road (hey it’s possible). Well now I am sure you’re asking yourself well how do I cross this without getting ran over by ugly cars and speed walking fiends? Simple. You push a button. Yes it’s that easy.

But first, you need to determine what kind of crosswalk this is. Most crosswalks have two directions in which you can travel. There will be sign posted near them that looks like this:

Again, there will be two arrows depicting two directions that you can travel. The direction that the arrow is pointing is SHOWING you which button to push and also SHOWING you which direction you want to travel. So lets say you hit the magical button, now you have to wait for the angry hand to change to a person who appears to be slouching. Looks like this.

This means you can walk, safely… but you should still proceed with caution. Because sometimes there are those idiots texting while driving or fiddling with their ipod that run red lights and they will hit you. So once you see this:

You can walk! Notice how no traffic or crazy people are running across it to run you over? That means it’s safe. Just watch out for people turning because they fail to see people walking but that’s another guide all together. So use that tip parents told you when you were 3 to look in both directions and then cross. Yay you made it to the other side to go do other random stuff with other random people at more random places. Now, I hope this has helped you or someone you know in using a crosswalk. I was always under the impression they were easy to use but apparently they are not, at my fellow classmates prove this to me everyday.

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