D.C. to install devices to cut pedestrian deaths

People approaching some unsignaled crosswalks in the District will soon be greeted with “Hi there. To cross the road, push the red button” and, in Spanish, “Para cruzar la calle, por favor toque el boton rojo por dos segundos.”

The orders come from a bilingual, motion-detecting squawk box that walks pedestrians through the proper way to cross a street, reminding them to step to the curb, look both ways, cross and even thank the drivers for stopping. Pushing the red button also triggers high-intensity flashing lights that remind drivers to stop at crosswalks without stoplights.