Blind people and traffic lights
Crossroads often have traffic lights. Sometimes, those traffic lights are equipped with clicking devices to indicate to blind people when it is safe to cross.
I know of traffic lights near where I live that also have these clickers. Only ... there are some fundamental flaws here, as far as I can tell.
- Often they don't click, as such giving no indication whatsoever that they are present. Since there are more crossroads without these than with, why would a blind person assume that they're there?
- If they do click, they usually keep going at the same steady pace that indicates it is not safe to cross. They don't speed up when the crossing light turns green, because ...
- There is a button. Above the button is a sign that reads something along the lines of :
This button is meant to activate the sound indicater for blind persons
The pedestrian crossing lights also work without pushing the button.
Indeed. The default behaviour is disabled, with only a written (no braille!) notice to indicate this. That's right ... make them wait until Hell freezes over and then some. Way to go.
- As far as I can tell, the button seems to be no more than a touch-sensitive area marked with, indeed, a white-painted circle. Just as flat and smooth as the rest of the thing that holds it...
Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that an effort is being made, but come on ... what were these people on when they designed this, and where can I get some of it??