CHEYENNE, Wyo. Two new High Intensity Activated Crosswalk or HAWK signals are now live on two streets in Cheyenne.
In the works for years these crosswalk signals are looking to help protect our public by preventing distracted driving.
These HAWK signals are placed on the intersections of both Western Hills Boulevard and Moccasin Avenue, and E Pershing Blvd and McCann Ave, both areas near schools (McCormick Jr. High and Baggs Elementary School).Â
HAWKS work by acting like a red light signal for drivers once activated, when a pedestrian wants to cross the overhead signal turns on and gives drivers a yellow light to warn of the incoming red light, then solid red light follows in which the pedestrian then crosses the street.
After a couple of seconds the solid red lights then flash, signaling that if there is no one in the crosswalk drivers can proceed through.
Janelle Jones, with her nonprofit #FORMAK is a big supporter of the HAWK signals, as her son Makaili was tragically killed by a distracted driver in a school zone.
Jones says "I like to know that there's not going to be other kids that are going to have to be in danger and that families wont have to go through the same thing that we have had to go through."
In speaking with the City Engineer Tom Cobb, he says that he thinks that HAWK signals provide more safety than other choices.
The other choice Cobb mentioned the city was thinking about were rapid flasher signals, which predated the now HAWK signal at Pershing and McCann.
Cobb states "We're hoping that the kids especially at Pershing Blvd be careful we implemented some temporary arrangements so they got used to pushing a button and wait as before it (rapid flashers) was instantaneous."
Crossers now have to wait before given the "okay to walk sign", allowing them to also analyze their surroundings.Â
But as both Cobb and Jones say, the best way to stay and keep people safe is to never be distracted while driving.Â
