PedFlag

PedFlag is a program that empowers pedestrians to ensure their safety while crossing the street, using bright orange or yellow flags to gain the attention of drivers. The flags are placed at either end of crosswalk locations that are not otherwise controlled by a traffic signal or other traffic control device. Those located within the Central Business District of Kirkland are maintained by city staff, but residents can request PedFlag locations outside of this area. Requested locations are maintained through the Adopt A PedFlag Crossing Program, in which volunteers check that flags are in place and request free replacement flags from the city if needed. Kirkland has approximately 73 PedFlag locations, 15 of which are within the Central Business District. The program was started in 1995, and was enhanced in 2006 using Transportation Enhancement funds from the Department of Transportation.

The purpose of PedFlag is to reduce the number of pedestrian injuries and deaths by increasing the visibility of pedestrians to cars.

The consensus among volunteers and frequent users of the flags is that they do attract the attention of drivers sooner than a pedestrian without a flag. PedFlag locations have been installed on crossings along school walk routes and popular pedestrian walking routes.