Mayor considers diagonal crosswalks in certain LA intersections

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- In the hunt for safer intersections, "X" marks the spot. Mayor Eric Garcetti is considering diagonal crosswalks at some of the city's biggest intersections.

Diagonal crosswalks are heralded by many as a pedestrian's best friend. The idea is to shut down traffic in all directions for one traffic cycle in order to allow pedestrians to move freely through an intersection -- even diagonally.

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti is talking about adding more of the crosswalks in certain pedestrian-crowded intersections, like Hollywood and Highland, and 7th and Flower downtown.

"We have too many pedestrian deaths and too many cars are stuck in traffic," said Garcetti. "We need to be creative."

Diagonal crosswalks do have some drawbacks though. Some pedestrians aren't used to them and can't figure out exactly when to cross.

Aside from the confusion, there's also the time factor: Some motorists complain that while pedestrians are criss-crossing through the intersection, drivers are forced to sit and wait.

As for traffic complaints, the mayor sees it as a way to free up congestion.

"Certain intersections, no car can turn right because pedestrians go the whole time," said Garcetti. "I want to make sure that cars can make those turns they need to. Diagonal crosswalks can allow both sides to win."

Los Angeles already has some diagonal crosswalks, like one in Westwood. And there's one in the city of Pasadena.

Garcetti says L.A.'s diagonal crosswalk plans are only in the discussion phase right now -- there's no green light for the new intersections yet.