"We've got to believe that getting drivers' attention in any way is going to be helpful," said Linda Crabill, spokeswoman for the city's department of transportation.

The beacons, which will be placed on the side of the road, are part of the city's $500,000 Safe Street Initiative. There will be 14 locations in San Jose where the beacons, wireless and solar-powered, will be installed. The beacons are above-ground devices at the side of the street that light up to warn motorists when a pedestrian is entering the crosswalk. These devices are already in downtown Willow Glen. As part of the initiative, crews will put 64 flashing countdown signals and more than 150 indicators to stop red-light running.

While the city is spending money on safety devices, police say that part of the problem is that drivers and pedestrians are hurrying rather than paying attention. Lt. John Carr, of the vehicular crimes unit, blames cellular phones, DVDs and CDs as gadgets that steal drivers' focus.

"We have transferred our living room into our cars," he said.

But pedestrians also need to take heed, Carr said.

"People have the notion they can cross with impunity anywhere anytime," he said.

Jincy Pace, a detective who reconstructs accidents in the vehicular crimes unit, said that typically, in collisions between cars and pedestrians, it is the pedestrian who is at fault. She suggests that pedestrians make eye contact with drivers when they cross the street, wear light colored clothing at night and cross only when the street is empty or when the signal lights up.

"The responsibility for personal safety rests with you," she said.