Quick Summary:
- Stop on solid red at HAWK beacons, and stay stopped.
- On flashing red at a HAWK, stop, then proceed when clear.
- At RRFB yellow flashers, yield to pedestrians, not full-stop always.
- Never pass a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk, especially near beaches.
Driving on a Miami car hire trip is usually straightforward until you reach a busy crosswalk near the beach, a transit stop, or downtown. Miami uses several pedestrian crossing signals that look like traffic lights but do not always behave like them. Two of the most misunderstood are the HAWK (High-intensity Activated crossWalK) beacon, also called a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon, and the rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB), which is the intense yellow strobe at some unsignalised crossings. Misreading either can lead to hard braking, near-misses, or a citation.
This guide explains what these beacons are, what their phases mean, and the practical stop or yield rules you should follow while driving a car hire vehicle through beach corridors, causeways, and downtown streets.
What is a HAWK beacon in Miami?
A HAWK beacon is a pedestrian-activated signal used at a marked crosswalk, typically mid-block or where a standard traffic signal is not warranted. It is designed to stop vehicles only when someone wants to cross, then return traffic to a free-flow condition.
In Miami you will see HAWK beacons on multi-lane roads where pedestrians cross in large numbers, such as routes feeding the beach, shopping streets, and areas near parks or schools. The key point is that a HAWK beacon is a traffic control device with red indications, so drivers must treat the red as a stop requirement, not as a suggestion.
If you are collecting a vehicle through car hire at Miami Airport (MIA) and heading towards the coast, you may encounter HAWK-style signals on wide arterials where pedestrians cross between bus stops and car parks.
HAWK signal phases, what each one means for drivers
HAWK beacons use a sequence that can include dark (unlit), flashing yellow, solid yellow, solid red, and flashing red. Not every driver sees all phases every time, which is why confusion happens. Here is how to interpret each indication in practical driving terms.
1) Dark (unlit): proceed normally, watch for pedestrians. When the beacon is off, it is not assigning right of way by itself. You still have the normal duty to take care and yield to anyone already in the crosswalk. Think of it as an ordinary marked crossing with no active signal, until someone activates it.
2) Flashing yellow: prepare to slow, be ready to stop. Flashing yellow is an alert that the beacon has been activated. You are not required to stop yet, but you should reduce speed and scan for a person stepping off the kerb. In Miami’s busy corridors, pedestrians can appear quickly from between parked vehicles or landscaping.
3) Solid yellow: stop if you can do so safely. Solid yellow functions like a standard traffic signal yellow. If you are close enough that stopping would be unsafe, continue with caution. Otherwise, you should stop before the stop line or crosswalk.
4) Solid red: full stop, do not enter the crosswalk. Once solid red appears, you must stop and stay stopped. Do not creep into the crosswalk to see around a vehicle. This is the phase that most resembles a normal red light, and it is enforced accordingly.
5) Flashing red: stop, then proceed only when the crosswalk is clear. This is where drivers often make mistakes. A flashing red at a HAWK is treated like a stop sign. You must come to a complete stop, then you may proceed if, and only if, the crosswalk is fully clear of pedestrians and it is safe to go. If someone is still crossing, you remain stopped. If another lane is still stopped because their crosswalk is not clear, be cautious, the person may still be in your path.
In practical terms, when you see flashing red, do not treat it as a permission to roll through. Make a complete stop, look for pedestrians who may be slow, distracted, or pushing prams, then move off smoothly once the crossing is empty.
How HAWK beacons differ from standard traffic lights
Standard traffic lights cycle based on time and traffic detection, and red always means stop until it turns green. HAWK beacons are normally dark and only activate for pedestrian demand. Their flashing red phase is intended to reduce unnecessary delay once the pedestrian has cleared, while still requiring a full stop first.
That difference matters in Miami because some roads have frequent mid-block crossings. If you drive as though every activation is a full signal cycle, you may stop longer than required and risk being rear-ended. If you drive as though it is only a warning flasher, you risk a citation or, worse, failing to yield to someone in the crosswalk.
When you are driving near downtown areas, for example after picking up a vehicle via car hire in Downtown Miami, expect more complex pedestrian environments. That is where treating the indications precisely as displayed becomes especially important.
What is an RRFB or “flashing crosswalk beacon”?
An RRFB is a pair of rapidly flashing rectangular yellow lights mounted near a crosswalk sign. The flash pattern is intentionally attention-grabbing. In Miami, these are common at unsignalised crossings where drivers need extra warning, but where there is no red indication.
Unlike a HAWK beacon, an RRFB does not assign a red stop condition. It is a warning system to encourage compliance with crosswalk yielding laws.
So when must you stop at an RRFB? You must stop when stopping is necessary to yield to a pedestrian who is in the crosswalk or stepping into it. If there is no pedestrian in or entering the crosswalk, you may proceed, but you should still slow and scan because the lights indicate someone may be nearby or has just pressed the button.
Miami stop and yield rules that help you avoid citations
Enforcement around crosswalks can be strict, especially where there have been crashes. These practical rules reduce risk when driving a car hire vehicle in dense areas.
Stop behind the line and keep the crosswalk clear. If you stop with your bumper over the stripes, you can block the pedestrian’s path and invite a ticket. In congested areas, stop earlier than you think you need to.
Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. This is one of the most dangerous and most cited behaviours. If the vehicle in the next lane has stopped near a crosswalk, assume a pedestrian is crossing in front of them, even if you cannot see the person yet. Wait until you have clear sight lines.
Do not honk at pedestrians using a beacon. Even if you feel the crossing activation is slow, sounding the horn can escalate situations and distracts people mid-crossing.
Watch for multi-stage crossings and medians. Some Miami crossings have a refuge island in the middle. A person may clear your lane but still be crossing the next lane. On a HAWK flashing red, you can only proceed when the entire crosswalk across your path is clear.
Expect tourists and cyclists to behave unpredictably. Beach corridors bring people unfamiliar with traffic patterns. Someone may start crossing late, or stop to take a photo. Build in extra time and space, especially at night when visibility is reduced.
Common Miami scenarios: beach corridors vs downtown streets
Beach and causeway approaches: Roads feeding Miami Beach often have higher speeds and multiple lanes, combined with sudden pedestrian demand near bus stops and parking areas. Here, a HAWK beacon can activate quickly. Treat the flashing yellow as your cue to cover the brake and create space behind you with gentle deceleration rather than a last-second stop.
Downtown and Brickell-style grids: You may face frequent crosswalks, turning traffic, and delivery vehicles blocking sight lines. A beacon might be partially obscured by a larger vehicle. If you are driving in a hired car from areas like car hire in Doral, allow extra time when entering downtown streets, because stop compliance is easier when you are not rushing.
Neighbourhood high streets: Coral Gables and similar areas mix pedestrian crossings with decorative streetscapes that can hide a waiting pedestrian until late. If your trip starts around car hire in Coral Gables, treat every marked crosswalk as active, even when the beacon is dark.
How to approach a beacon smoothly in a car hire vehicle
If you are not used to the braking feel of your rental car, the first sudden stop can be uncomfortable. A few habits make compliance easier.
Scan ahead for crosswalk markings and signs. Many beacons are preceded by pedestrian warning signs or overhead signs. Early recognition lets you slow gradually.
Leave a larger following gap. If the vehicle ahead stops suddenly for a beacon activation, you need space to stop without harsh braking. In wet conditions, Miami roads can be slick, so increase your gap.
Use smooth deceleration. Ease off the accelerator and brake progressively during flashing yellow and solid yellow phases. It signals your intent to drivers behind and reduces the risk of a rear-end collision.
Look for the pedestrian, not just the lights. The signal tells you someone may be crossing, but your actual duty is to the person in the crosswalk. Keep your eyes moving to both sides, and check for someone approaching quickly on a scooter or bike.
What happens if I get it wrong?
Failing to stop at a red indication, failing to yield at a crosswalk, or passing a stopped vehicle can lead to a traffic stop and a citation. Beyond the fine, it can also create problems with your travel schedule and add stress to your Miami driving experience.
If you are unsure in the moment, choose the safer option: slow down, stop when required, and only proceed when you have confirmed the crosswalk is clear. Most conflicts at beacons come from drivers assuming the pedestrian has already cleared, or assuming the flashing lights do not carry legal weight. In Miami, they do.
FAQ
Q: Does a HAWK beacon mean I always have to stop?
A: No. When it is dark you proceed normally, when it shows solid red you must stop, and on flashing red you must stop first, then go only when the crosswalk is clear.
Q: At a flashing red HAWK, can I go if pedestrians are still on the median?
A: Only proceed if the pedestrian is completely clear of your lane and your path through the crosswalk. If there is any chance they will step back into your lane, wait.
Q: Are RRFB yellow flashers the same as a traffic light?
A: No. RRFBs do not show red. They warn you to yield at the crosswalk, which may require stopping if someone is crossing or stepping in.
Q: Can I change lanes to pass stopped traffic at a beacon?
A: You should not. If a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk, passing it can put you into the path of a pedestrian you cannot see.
Q: What is the safest approach when I am unsure which beacon I am seeing?
A: Slow down, look for a red indication, and be prepared to stop. If pedestrians are present or entering the crosswalk, yield and wait until the crossing is fully clear.
