Duck crossing
Encyclopedia
A duck crossing is either a designated place for ducks to cross a road or an informal route
based on the creatures' instincts.
Despite ducks being as aware of their surroundings and possible dangers as most birds are, they still get involved in accidents. The increasing number of fatalities on the roads led to concern within local towns and communities, a solution was made to both slow traffic
down and end deaths of ducks. Despite man made crossings (a sign normally) a duck crossing may also refer to a route ducks use to cross roads, if frequent sightings of ducks crossing at a certain part of a road are made then it can be considered an informal duck crossing. However these are usually signposted soon enough then becoming formal.
Duck crossings face controversy
over the general public's concern that these creatures are receiving better treatment than pedestrian
s, however many hail duck crossing schemes as a genuine success in conservation and preservation and accept the indirect calming of traffic
.
The duck crossing can be seen as an institution to preservation during the rapid urbanization
of the twentieth century.
Thoroughfare
A thoroughfare is a place of transportation intended to connect one location to another. Highways, roads, and trails are examples of thoroughfares used by a variety of general traffic. On land a thoroughfare may refer to anything from a rough trail to multi-lane highway with grade separated...
based on the creatures' instincts.
Despite ducks being as aware of their surroundings and possible dangers as most birds are, they still get involved in accidents. The increasing number of fatalities on the roads led to concern within local towns and communities, a solution was made to both slow traffic
Traffic
Traffic on roads may consist of pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using the public way for purposes of travel...
down and end deaths of ducks. Despite man made crossings (a sign normally) a duck crossing may also refer to a route ducks use to cross roads, if frequent sightings of ducks crossing at a certain part of a road are made then it can be considered an informal duck crossing. However these are usually signposted soon enough then becoming formal.
Duck crossings face controversy
Controversy
Controversy is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of opinion. The word was coined from the Latin controversia, as a composite of controversus – "turned in an opposite direction," from contra – "against" – and vertere – to turn, or versus , hence, "to turn...
over the general public's concern that these creatures are receiving better treatment than pedestrian
Pedestrian
A pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running. In some communities, those traveling using roller skates or skateboards are also considered to be pedestrians. In modern times, the term mostly refers to someone walking on a road or footpath, but this was not the case...
s, however many hail duck crossing schemes as a genuine success in conservation and preservation and accept the indirect calming of traffic
Traffic calming
Traffic calming is intended to slow or reduce motor-vehicle traffic in order to improve the living conditions for residents as well as to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Urban planners and traffic engineers have many strategies for traffic calming...
.
The duck crossing can be seen as an institution to preservation during the rapid urbanization
Urbanization
Urbanization, urbanisation or urban drift is the physical growth of urban areas as a result of global change. The United Nations projected that half of the world's population would live in urban areas at the end of 2008....
of the twentieth century.
See also
- DuckDuckDuck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered...
- Duck-baitingDuck-baitingDuck-baiting is a blood sport involving the baiting of ducks.-Overview:Duck-baiting involved releasing a pinioned duck on to a pond. The dog dived into the pond coursing the duck, which was unable to fly. A spectacular diving exhibition ensued, as the duck dived the dog dived to pursue. ...
- Duck huntingDuck huntingWaterfowl hunting is the practice of hunting ducks, geese, or other waterfowl for food and sport...
- Ducks UnlimitedDucks UnlimitedDucks Unlimited is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife, and people. It currently has approximately 780,000 members, mostly in the United States and Canada.-Introduction:Ducks Unlimited was...
- Domesticated duckDomesticated duckDomesticated ducks are ducks that are raised for meat, eggs and down. Many ducks are also kept for show, as pets or for their ornamental value...
- Duck pondDuck pondA duck pond is a pond for ducks and other water fowl. Duck ponds provide habitats for water fowl and other birds, who use the water to bathe in and drink....
- List of fictional ducks
- Make Way for DucklingsMake Way For DucklingsMake Way for Ducklings is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey. First published in 1941, the book tells the story of a pair of mallard ducks who decide to raise their family on an island in the lagoon in Boston Public Garden, a park in the center of Boston,...
External links
- Brake for Ducks - Non-profit campaign dedicated to creating safe duck crossings, begun in 1993.
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/wear/3861059.stm - An example of the problem and solution
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/4078423.stm - Another example
- http://www.worldofstock.com/closeups/MES1819.php - Photographs of Duck crossings