SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/drive-flashing-dont-walk

A pedestrian signal shows a flashing orange raised hand. What does it mean for walkers?

Do not start crossing; people already crossing should finish.

  1. Cross quickly now
  2. Do not start crossing ✔
  3. Only bicycles may cross

Why: The flashing hand means do not start across. Anyone already in the street should keep going. Drivers must still yield to people in the crosswalk.

Huh, didn't know that: A WALK signal does not excuse pedestrians from yielding to vehicles already lawfully in the intersection.

The dad joke
Why did the walking signal raise its hand? It had a question about crossing.
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References

Answer: Do not start crossing. The flashing hand means do not start across. Anyone already in the street should keep going. Drivers must still yield to people in the crosswalk.

  1. MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 4A.05 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/11th_Editionr1/mutcd11theditionr1hl.pdf
    Pedestrians facing a flashing UPRAISED HAND (symbolizing DONT WALK) signal indication shall not start to cross the roadway
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 4A.05 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/11th_Editionr1/mutcd11theditionr1hl.pdf
    Pedestrians shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully within the intersection
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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