County Installs New Pedestrian Safety Light in Bethesda

Montgomery County continued its efforts to keep pedestrians safer when it activated its newest high intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) beacon in Bethesda where Tuckerman Lane crosses the Bethesda Trolley Trail. The County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) installed the pedestrian beacon in response to community concerns about pedestrian safety.

The beacons align with the priorities of Montgomery County’s Vision Zero plan, which aims to reduce and eventually eliminate traffic-related deaths. The Tuckerman Lane beacon was installed faster than some others because existing poles and power were at the site from a replaced pedestrian warning beacon.

The newest HAWK beacon was installed following neighborhood concerns after a fatal collision involving a pedestrian occurred at Tuckerman Lane and the Bethesda Trolley Trail crossing. The location had been scheduled for an updated signal as part of MCDOT’s modified practice to install HAWK beacons in place of some existing pedestrian flashing signals. HAWK beacons provide better direction to drivers, requiring them to stop at locations where they would otherwise just use “additional caution” under the flashing signals.

Learn more about the County’s HAWK beacon program in a recent press release.