Washington State Law

The law in Washington State places a legal obligation on drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, drivers must come to a complete stop. 

Washington State's crosswalk law (RCW 46.61.235) says:

1. Drivers must stop if a pedestrian is in their half of the roadway

2. Drivers must stop if a pedestrian is within one lane of their half of the roadway

3. Once the pedestrian is beyond one lane of their half of the roadway, drivers may go

A crosswalk is any portion of the road outlined with white paint, or created by reflective pavement markings or a different texture of concrete like brick pavers. These markings identify the portion of the road that is designated for pedestrian travel and define a "marked" crosswalk. It is the preferred crossing location for pedestrians, particularly if the crosswalk is enhanced by a traffic signal. However, using a crosswalk does not relieve pedestrians from using due care for their own safety. 

A mid-block crosswalk is a crossing marked in between intersections, usually at an uncontrolled location (without a traffic signal or a stop sign). They are designed to discourage pedestrians from making random crossings by offering a convenient location to cross in an area without frequent intersection crossings. 

Legal pedestrian crossings exist at every intersection, whether the crosswalk is marked or not.

Requesting a Marked Crosswalk

The decision to install a marked crosswalk is taken very seriously. Crosswalks are not marked unless anticipated benefits clearly outweigh the risks. When a request comes into the City for a marked crosswalk, the location will be reviewed to determine if marking a crosswalk is warranted. 

Criteria for crosswalk installation is determined differently for a stop controlled intersection and an uncontrolled location.

At Controlled crossing locations, marked crosswalks may be installed when any of the below conditions are met:

• Signalized intersections, regardless of volume
• School walking routes, regardless of volume
• Multi-use path, regardless of volume
• Stop-controlled intersections with over 3,500 vehicles per day

At uncontrolled crossing locations, marked crosswalks may be installed when any of the below conditions are met:

• There is a high volume of pedestrian traffic
• The distance to the nearest crosswalk is substantial

Uncontrolled crossings must be installed with enhancements such as crosswalk signs, advance warning signs, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, median refuge islands, in-street pedestrian signs on delineators,  etc..  Because of the necessary enhancements, these crosswalks can be costly and may take years to acquire funding.

These crosswalks will be installed if funding is available and they meet any of the below conditions are met:

• Multi-use paths
• School walking routes
• Significant pedestrian generators ( stores, restaurants, parks )
• Significant transit stops
• The City of Redmond marks crosswalks under limited conditions, considering such factors as pedestrian volume, traffic volume, traffic speed, and roadway configuration. 

If you would like the City to consider a marked crosswalk at a specific location, you can submit your request via email to Crosswalk Request.

Countdown signals tell pedestrians the number of seconds that are left to cross the street before the traffic signal changes. Pedestrian countdown signals are installed at all of Redmond's signalized intersections. These new signals improve safety by helping pedestrians make an informed decision about crossing the street. Traffic engineers calculate crossing distances based on a pedestrian walking speed at 3.5 feet per second, which is slower than most people walk.

Meaning Of Signal Displays

Pedestrian "Walk" Signal      When the pedestrian signal shows a steady white image of a walking person, it is your turn to cross.  Watch for turning traffic

Flashing "Don't Walk" Hand Signal When the red hand is flashing, pedestrians should not begin to cross, but those already crossing may continue. The countdown timer display shows pedestrians how many seconds they have to finish crossing.

Solid Red "Don't Walk" Hand Signal The solid red hand means do not start crossing. Pedestrians should not be in the crosswalk. Push the pedestrian button and wait for the next "walk" signal.

If you are concerned about pedestrian signal timing at a particular location, or have another traffic safety issue, Report an Issue or email Signal Timing.

Pedestrian Push Buttons

Pedestrian actuated signals are installed at intersections where traffic signals are timed primarily for vehicular traffic. If you don't push the button to activate the pedestrian signal, the traffic signal may not allow you time to safely cross the street. It only requires one push of the button to activate the pedestrian crossing signal.

Located around Redmond's Downtown Pedestrian District communicate to drivers they are in an area where they can expect higher volumes of people walking.

Look for the pedestrian zone signs at these locations:    

•     Leary Way north of West Lake Sammamish Parkway
•     Redmond Way west of West Lake Sammamish Parkway
•     NE 85 Street east of 154 Avenue NE
•     NE 90 Street east of 154 Avenue NE
•     Redmond-Woodinville Road north of NE 90 Street
•     166 Avenue NE north of NE 85 Street
•     Redmond Way near Bear Creek Crossing
•     Avondale Way from westbound Union Hill Road
•     NE 80 Street at 170 Avenue NE

Encouraging traffic to move safely when approaching schools and school crosswalks is an important part of what we do in the Public Works Department. 

Twenty-three 20-MPH school zone speed limit signs with interactive radar feedback are installed throughout the city to help calm traffic near schools and help pedestrians more safely negotiate school crosswalks. These sophisticated signs display the driver's speed, displays a prominent "Slow Down" message when exceeding the active speed limit, and amber beacons flash to notify drivers when the 20-MPH speed limit is active. 

Each year, in late August, the school district finalizes their calendar and schedule, including holidays, vacation days and parent/teacher conferences,  for each school within the city. The Public Works department updates the programming of each of our interactive 20- MPH school zone speed limit locations with the information from the school schedules.

City maintenance staff maintain and repair these units as well as, add orange flags to school crosswalk signs each Fall to remind the motoring public that school is about to start.

While technology, signs, markings and flags all make a critical contribution to traffic safety, we must never forget that it is the careful attention shown by drivers and pedestrians that is paramount to ensuring safety in school zones! 

The City of Redmond encourages children to walk to school. Learn more about the program on the GoRedmond SchoolPool program page.

Update

The Albert Einstein Elementary school zone has been extended to the east on NE 116^th St. This was done to capture the many students that walk further east than the previous school zone boundary.

An ordinance change was approved in August 2020 to alter the school zone.

Look out for the newly installed signs which have been flagged. Please be aware of this change and adjust speeds accordingly.