Two cheers for midblock crossings

A few weeks ago, I read a newspaper article commenting on a pedestrian who was killed in a car crash; the article suggested “educating pedestrians to cross at intersections.”  But sometimes, some pedestrians are actually safer crossing mid-block. Here’s why: when I cross at the intersection nearest my suburban apartment, I have to look for traffic coming from a variety of directions: not just oncoming drivers in both directions who might run red lights, but also drivers turning from the corners of the intersection.

2 minute read

January 31, 2009, 7:37 PM PST

By Michael Lewyn @mlewyn




A few weeks ago, I read a newspaper article commenting on a pedestrian who was killed in a car crash; the article suggested "educating pedestrians to cross at intersections."  But sometimes, some pedestrians are actually safer crossing mid-block.



Here's why: when I cross at the intersection nearest my suburban apartment, I have to look for traffic coming from a variety of directions: not just oncoming drivers in both directions who might run red lights, but also drivers turning from the corners of the intersection.



By contrast, if I cross in midblock, I only have to look at traffic coming in one direction at a time: in the northbound lane I look for traffic heading north, in the southbound lane for traffic heading south.  So if there's not any traffic, I run for it.



On the other hand, midblock crossings are not for everyone.  In the suburban area where I live, traffic goes very fast when it goes- but at times congestion is low enough that there are no cars nearby.  So crossing anywhere near a car is dangerous because any crash is likely to be fatal - while on the other hand when there is no nearby traffic, crossing is safe regardless of the location.  



On the other hand, in a more urban and/or congested environment where traffic flows more evenly, there will always be a few cars near you in the oncoming lane- so in that situation, midblock crossings are less safe.  (And the slower traffic means that even if you are in the intersection, your risk of being seriously injured by a crash is lower).



And if you are too young or too visually impaired to see whether there are cars nearby, there is, alas, no good alternative to relying on traffic signals.


Michael Lewyn

Michael Lewyn is a professor at Touro University, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, in Long Island. His scholarship can be found at http://works.bepress.com/lewyn.

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

47 seconds ago - Inside Climate News

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA