Plural of crosswalk; marked pedestrian crossing areas that allow people to safely walk across a street.
From 'cross' (Old English) combined with 'walk' (from Old English 'wealcan'). The compound term became standard in American English in the mid-20th century as urban pedestrian safety became a major concern.
Crosswalks seem simple, but they're actually one of the best examples of how paint on pavement can save lives—cities that added visible crosswalk markings saw dramatic drops in pedestrian accidents because drivers actually noticed them, though research shows drivers today treat crosswalks less carefully than they did in the 1980s.
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