HAWK Beacon: High Intensity Activated Crosswalk installed near La Brea Tar Pits

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The City of Los Angeles unveiled a new crosswalk Wednesday at the site of a deadly 2016 pedestrian accident.

Located on 6th Street near the La Brea Tar Pits, the city has installed its first-ever high-intensity activated crosswalk, also known as a HAWK Beacon.

"The difference is, you actually push a button, there's a pedestrian signal that tells you when to cross, the lights turn yellow, and then red, and they're much, much more effective than some of the other things in our tool box at getting drivers to slow down and stop," said Seleta Reynolds, with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

Reynolds said the HAWK Beacons, known to reduce pedestrians crashes by 69%, are more effective at getting drivers to slow down and stop. The city plans to install more HAWK Beacons citywide sometime in the future.

In addition, LADOT has made other improvements along the busy 6th Street corridor, including seven standard crosswalks installed elsewhere.

"We hope to replicate this all throughout the city of Los Angeles because pedestrian safety is a high priority," said Councilman David Ryu.

Ryu and Department of Transportation officials hope that the HAWK Beacon, with its flashing red lights, make 6th Street a safer place for the people who live and visit here.