A young Spanish woman in California took to TikTok to express her confusion and frustration over the apparent lack of crosswalks, a common feature in many U.S. cities. In her video, she describes her experience, or rather the absence of safe pedestrian crossings, and how this impacts her daily life.
"Another thing I don't understand about this country, and I believe I never will, is what's the issue with crosswalks here," she starts her story. "There are almost none. I mean, they exist, but sometimes you have to walk, I don't know, half a kilometer to find one," she added.
According to her, she often has to walk long distances to locate a safe crossing. "Imagine this: I live here, my friend lives in that house over there. I have to walk a long way to find a crosswalk," she exemplified.
"I have to risk my life almost every day to cross on a regular road," she lamented, something she believes could be easily solved by painting more crosswalks on the ground.
Reactions and Debate
The reactions to her TikTok video were swift, sparking a heated debate among users: "I also have to cross the road because the crosswalks are too far away"; "In Europe it's so easy to cross the street, here it seems everything is designed only for cars," some commented.
"They should put more crosswalks in neighborhoods to make crossing safer," "Maybe more flashing signals or pedestrian bridges could help without changing the entire infrastructure," read some of the suggestions left in the comments.
However, other users defended the current infrastructure, emphasizing that crosswalks are designed to maintain traffic flow. "In high traffic areas, you can't place crosswalks everywhere because it would cause traffic jams"; "It's not that hard to get used to, you just have to walk a bit more," they pointed out.
Finally, some considered her complaint exaggerated. "It's a matter of adapting. Here, cities are designed for cars, and that's not going to change overnight."
Understanding Crosswalk Issues in the U.S.
The video has raised several questions regarding the placement and availability of crosswalks in the U.S. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why are crosswalks less common in some U.S. cities?
Crosswalks are often placed strategically to ensure traffic flow and safety. In high-traffic areas, excessive crosswalks could lead to congestion and accidents.
What alternatives exist for safer pedestrian crossings?
Alternatives include pedestrian bridges, flashing signals, and more strategically placed crosswalks to balance both pedestrian safety and traffic flow.
Are there any efforts to improve pedestrian infrastructure in the U.S.?
Yes, many cities are continually assessing and improving pedestrian infrastructure to enhance safety, including adding more crosswalks, pedestrian bridges, and better signage.