New Crosswalk Lights Near Courthouse Aim to Bring Added Safety for Pedestrians

Those who attempt to cross Chain Bridge Road (Rte 123) in front of the courthouse in Fairfax City will now have an added safety measure in place.

The City of Fairfax has installed new crosswalk lights that sense when a pedestrian is crossing the street, and flash a yellow light to warn oncoming vehicles.

"An overhead sensor on the light...detects pedestrians as they approach the crosswalk. This triggers flashing LED lights to alert drivers in both northbound and southbound lanes on Route 123 to the pedestrians’ presence," City representatives said.

City staff pointed out, this device is not a traffic light, and does not require vehicles to stop. However, "drivers are reminded to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks," they explained.

Regardless of the flashing lights, pedestrians are also reminded to wait until it is safe to enter the crosswalk, they added.

The new crosswalk light system is one of only three such devices in the region. 

TELL US - Have you noticed unsafe conditions between pedestrians and vehicles on Chain Bridge Road near the county courthouse? Do you think these new lights will help? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

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