Kaysville has HAWK (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk) signals found throughout the city to help improve safety for pedestrians crossing busy streets. While the signals may look different from a standard traffic light, they are easy to use once you understand how they work.

For pedestrians, the HAWK functions just like any other button-activated crossing. When not in use, the signal stays dark and stays off until activated again, and traffic flows normally. For drivers, once the button is pressed, the signal follows this sequence: Flashing yellow – alerts drivers that someone intends to cross; Solid yellow – advises drivers to prepare to stop; Solid red – requires drivers to stop at the crosswalk; Flashing red – drivers must come to a complete stop, then may proceed cautiously if the crosswalk is clear.

For pedestrians, the walk symbol appears after the solid red phase, followed by a countdown showing how many seconds remain to cross. Once the countdown begins, the overhead lights shift to flashing red, allowing drivers to proceed only after stopping and ensuring the crosswalk is clear.

The HAWK system is designed to balance safety for pedestrians with efficient traffic flow – providing clear signals for drivers while giving walkers safe, predictable crossing opportunities. Data also suggests that HAWK signals reduce crashes and increase driver compliance with crosswalk laws.