TONAWANDA, NY - A new traffic signal on a busy road in Tonawanda, officially went live Friday morning. The new signal is intended to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers.
On Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda, between Logan and Gettysburg Avenues, a new traffic signal is now operating.
It's called the HAWK -- High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk.
"It's definitely going to make a difference, it stops traffic and enables you to cross safely," said Jim Juyker, a Kenmore biker.
Others have a different feeling.
"I think it would make me uneasy as a pedestrian yeah, sure," said Alex Marien, an Amherst biker.
The state installed the traffic signal here, where Sheridan intersects with the Tonawanda Rails to Trails bike path. Before there was no traffic light at all. The HAWK isn't a traditional traffic light -- there is no green light.
Traffic goes when the signal goes dark. When the light starts to flash yellow that means slow down. Solid yellow means prep to stop. Red means stop. This is the best time for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross. But, confusion can set in with what happens next.
"Looking at that light, it's got that double red blinking light which I think may be confusing for drivers as to what they're supposed to be doing, I've never seen a double red light blinking back and forth," Marien said.
Blinking red means, stop but proceed with caution, as the crosswalk counts down.
"There is going to be a bit of a learning curve for some individuals," said Captain Joseph Carosi of Tonawanda Police.
And, some are learning the hard way -- police pulled over one driver for going through a red light and nearly hitting someone crossing the street.
"Use caution, use common sense when you're using these things," Carosi said, "motorists by and large are getting the hang of it relatively quickly."