Is the hand on a pedestrian traffic signal sometimes doing anything like flashing? See detail.

The flashing hand means you are running out of time to clear the intersection if walking. It is the pedestrian’s “yellow light”.

What @stanleybmanly said.

Officially, it means you do not begin crossing after the hand starts flashing. You do not have time to cross all the way. When the hand is solid, it means STOP. Do not cross at all.

If a man in an overcoat is flashing, run across anyway.

Hand flashing is what jellies said above, it’s a warning it’s about to change to a solid hand. Sometimes it is a countdown rather than a flashing hand, so you know how many seconds left.

For pedestrians it’s a warning not to cross if you can’t make it all the way across the street.

For drivers (unofficially) you know if the light is about to turn red and if you have time to make the green before it changes to yellow. Helps to know whether to start slowing down as you approach the intersection.

Thanks all.