Pedestrians have been left surprised upon discovering a ‘secret’ button at crossings that many have overlooked despite walking past them daily, which turns out to be potentially life-saving for certain individuals.
Knowing when its safe to cross the street varies for people: some wait for the green figure to appear at pedestrian crossings and others rely on the auditory beep. However, for those who cannot depend on sight or hearing, the sense of touch becomes essential.
In a recent revelation by Zondo Driving, a TikTok video posed the question to its viewers, “Who knows what this is for? ” while showcasing a feature of a pedestrian crossing. Beneath the control box where you request to cross, there’s an unassuming black cone that spins when it’s your turn to go, indicated by the green man illuminating.
This cone, facing downwards with textured ridges, came as news to many. Social media users had various theories about the ‘secret’ button’s purpose, with misperceptions abounding. One user presumed, “I thought it was to make the lights turn faster,” while another echoed the misconception stating it was to hasten the light change. A third said: “It’s a secret.”
The true function, however, was understood by some alert social media users. An insightful comment read: “People who can’t see or hear probably. One they won’t be able to hear the tone, and two for people who can’t see lights changing.” The spinning code is indeed there for those who can’t see the lights, such as visually impaired or blind individuals. They can use the spinning cone to know they have the right of way.
This is crucial because not all crossings make sounds. For example, if two crossings are close to each other it might mislead pedestrians into thinking it’s safe to cross when it’s not. However, not all crossings have cones, as individual councils decide on their design, but the Department for Transport encourages their use.
They have been a feature on UK roads since the late 1980s. The concept was proposed by Nottingham University, who thought the rotating cone device could be used so visually impaired and blind people knew when it was safe to cross.