Confusing New Jersey Traffic Signal

What the heck? Where is the green light in this traffic signal? What is a pedestrian beacon, anyway? When can I drive through the intersection?

These are all valid questions about a confusing traffic signal. The system is also known as a H.A.W.K. (High Intensity Activated crossWalK) Signal. Don't know why they need the fancy name, either.

In my opinion, this is another case of the state of New Jersey making road rules more complicated than it needs to be...you know, like jug handles and delayed green lights.

In all fairness, it look like it's not just New Jersey that uses this unnecessarily complicated system for a crosswalks, but some other states like Delaware use it too. This instructional video was posted on YouTube by delawaredot.

This proves my point that if you need an INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO for a pedestrian cross walk system, it's too complicated and confusing! I rest my case.

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