Most signaled intersections are unsafe, here's why

[Gormy Cuss]

7. Want to cut pedestrian deaths?

1. End right on red at any intersection with painted crosswalks. .
2. Lengthen WALK signals to allow an average walker to go from curb to curb while the WALK light is illuminated. None of this switch to a flashing DON'T WALK after a nanosecond.
2. At fully controlled intersections in heavily congested areas, stop traffic every direction to allow pedestrians to cross. Where feasible allow a diagonal crosswalk too if pedestrian flow warrants it.
3. At other fully controlled intersections, stop traffic for one full second before the WALK light is illuminated.
4. If necessary, change the traffic laws to require motorists to remain at a complete stop whenever pedestrians are crossing in the same lane or adjacent lanes.

With the exception of the diagonal crosswalks, all of the above used to be laws in places where I've lived. Yeah, this will slow down traffic. That's why all of this went by the wayside when car-centric planning became the norm.