Lawrence has its first talking crosswalk, designed to help people with vision problems cross the road more safely.

But the local chapter for the National Federation of the Blind is concerned about the device, said officer Jim Canaday.

The talking crosswalk — which audibly tells people when the walk sign is on — is at Sixth and Massachusetts streets in front of City Hall.

Canaday said his organization did not ask for the device, and generally opposes such devices. He said the loud audio of the device makes it difficult for blind people to hear whether traffic is approaching the intersection.

“Telling me the sign is green to cross doesn’t stop someone from blowing through the light or making a right turn on red,” he said. “I need to be able to hear to be safe.”

City officials have said they installed the device at the request of a blind person who expressed difficulty in navigating the intersection.

Canaday said his group is considering filing a formal objection with the city about the crosswalk.

For more on how blind people navigate dangerous intersections, log on to LJWorld.com to hear Lynda Canaday talk about how her former guide dog saved her life at a Los Angeles intersection nearly 30 years ago.