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Fourth HAWK in Manteca-Lathrop goes live Dec. 22
HAWK
The first HAWK signal for pedestrians in Manteca is being placed on North Main Street at Edison Street. This infographic shows what it looks like and how it operates.

The fourth HAWK pedestrian signal in the Manteca-Lathrop area is going live on Monday, Dec. 22.

It is part of the North Main Street corridor safety project that also included installing a median with fencing to prevent mid-block crossings by pedestrians.

The HAWK signal — shorthand for high intensity activated crosswalk — has been placed at North Main and Edison streets.

The intersection has had multiple collisions between pedestrians who were near the middle of the crosswalk when struck.

Injuries have been significant over the years, including times when the pedestrian was struck hard enough that they ended up slamming into the vehicles’ windshield.

 North Main Street has historically high accident rates, especially for pedestrians and T-bone collisions, with a specific stretch (Alameda to Northgate) having 19% of city fatal crashes and accident rates above the state average (2017-2021).

There are already three intersections with HAWK signals in the 15,001-home planned community of River Islands at Lathrop.

They are at intersections on stretches of streets where a large amount of traffic is anticipated as buildout occurs that also will have pedestrians crossing on the way to schools and community parks.

Manteca is in the process of installing a second HAWK signal at Moffat Boulevard and Garfield Avenue by Manteca High.

How the HAWK signal works:

*HAWK signals are traffic signals that allow pedestrians to cross the road safely. HAWK signals operate in a YELLOW-RED-FLASHING RED sequence to alert motorists that pedestrians need to cross the street. 

*Unlike traffic signals, the HAWK only operates when a pedestrian pushes the crossing button. Vehicles are free to move when no one is crossing the street.

*Motorists should respond to yellow and solid red lights in the same manner as any other traffic signal. After stopping for the red light, motorists may proceed through the crossing area during the flashing red light interval only when safe to do so without risk to pedestrians.

 

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com