At intersections, pedestrians must obey traffic signals, according to Minnesota State Statute 169.21.
The pedestrian signals provide time cross the street safely. The pedestrian signal is normally activated by a push-button that initiates a pre-programmed sequence for pedestrian signals. Pressing the pedestrian push-button will not change the signal immediately, but will provide pedestrians the appropriate time to cross when it is their turn.
Pedestrian signal symbols
Steady WALK or walking person symbol: A pedestrian may enter the roadway and proceed in the direction of the indication. The WALK indication is normally illuminated for 4–7 seconds.
Flashing DON’T WALK or flashing upraised hand symbol: A pedestrian may not enter the roadway to start crossing. A pedestrian who started to cross during the WALK indication may continue to cross and will have enough time to finish their crossing or get to a median that has another pedestrian crossing push-button. There are several intersections in Dakota County that also have a countdown timer which will display the amount of time remaining to cross.
Steady DON’T WALK or upraised hand signal: Pedestrians may not enter the roadway to cross and any previously crossing pedestrian shouldn’t be in the crosswalk. 
Find out more about pedestrian signal symbols.
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