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Hayward crosswalks and event flags: Chamber program and cameras reduce some risks, officials say; concerns about driver inattention remain
Summary
Committee members described a Chamber of Commerce program that leaves orange flags at a busy Main Street/63 crossing for pedestrians, reported success with cameras and squad presence during events, but noted driver inattention and congested intersections remain a challenge.
Members of the Traffic Safety Committee discussed pedestrian-safety measures on Main Street (State Highway 63) in Hayward, including a Chamber of Commerce flag program, increased officer presence during events and the use of fixed and license-plate–reader cameras.
A county or city official told the committee that the Chamber has left orange hand flags in buckets on both sides of Highway 63 for pedestrians to carry while crossing during summer events; the flags are returned to the opposite bucket after crossing. That official said use of the flags has increased pedestrian visibility during events and that the chamber asked permission to leave the flags out all summer. The official said the flags have helped and officers are often assigned near that intersection during events.
Hayward law enforcement and other speakers said cameras — including flat cameras and an LPR program — have aided local investigations, helping locate missing people and a stolen vehicle. Committee members described using a squad car parked in the median at Main and 63 with its lights on during events to slow traffic, which officials said helped in many cases but can also distract some drivers and shift attention from pedestrians.
Committee members also raised other trouble spots near exits for convenience stores on 63 where congestion and backups create collision risk. No ordinance changes or formal enforcement policies were approved at the meeting; members discussed continued use of cameras, targeted officer assignments for events, and community education about pedestrian visibility.
