Definition

Noun: A safety island is a raised or curbed section in the middle of a roadway, separated from traffic lanes. Its primary purpose is to provide a protected area for pedestrians, typically to wait safely while crossing a wide street or to board public transportation.

Usage

A safety island is a physical traffic feature. It is used to describe the specific safe zone for people on foot. * Pedestrians should use the safety island when crossing the multi-lane boulevard. * The bus stop is located on a safety island in the center of the road.

Examples

• The city installed a new safety island to make the intersection safer for school children.
• While waiting for the traffic light to change, we stood on the safety island.
• The cyclist swerved to avoid a car and ended up on the pedestrian safety island.

Advanced Usage

• "to take refuge on a safety island": This phrase emphasizes using the island as a place of safety from moving vehicles.
  • The jaywalker had to take refuge on the safety island as cars sped by.

Variants and Related Words

• Safety zone (noun): A broader term for any area designated for the protection of pedestrians, which can include safety islands.
• Traffic island (noun): A more general term for any raised area in a roadway used to direct traffic; it may or may not be intended for pedestrian use.
• Pedestrian refuge island (noun): A term that explicitly highlights the island's function for pedestrians, often used in traffic engineering contexts.
• Median (noun): The strip of land or barrier dividing opposing lanes of traffic; a safety island is often a type of median designed for pedestrian use.

Synonyms

• Pedestrian island
• Refuge island

Related Phrases

• "to be stranded on a safety island": This can describe a situation where a pedestrian is stuck waiting on the island, often due to heavy traffic.
  • The sudden downpour left her stranded on the safety island.

Noun

1. a curbed area in a roadway from which traffic is excluded; provides safe area for pedestrians