Many people enjoy a good challenge, however in a competition between a pedestrian and a 1-ton vehicle, the vehicle almost always wins. Recently, in two separate incidents, a vehicle struck a student while crossing a campus roadway. As a result, University Police implemented proactive steps to improve safety on roads, including strictly enforcing the University’s 15 mph speed limit.
We believe the efforts of University Police will help prevent another person from being hit by a vehicle, but ultimately, each individual on campus is responsible for maintaining the safety of our University.
Both drivers and pedestrians must use more caution when traveling around campus. Drivers must abide by the speed limit and slow down near crosswalks. We are just as excited as the next person when class ends and are ready to head off to our next obligations. But, speeding down roadways and not showing courtesy to pedestrians is simply unacceptable. The few additional minutes it takes to wait for pedestrians to cross the street will not ruin a person’s day.
In addition, pedestrians must actually use the crosswalks. A driver cannot be expected to stop for a pedestrian that suddenly begins to cross the road outside of a crosswalk. For example, we have seen far too often pedestrians walking between two parked vehicles and then start crossing the street.
If a person enters the road from between two parked vehicles, it may be impossible for the driver to see that person until after the pedestrian is in the road.
Additionally, pedestrians and drivers should stay focused when commuting on campus. Drivers should stay off their cell phones and refrain from playing with their iPods or CD players in their vehicle. Paying attention to the road can help prevent other accidents from happening on campus.
Students should also avoid text messaging, talking on cell phones and fidgeting with personal items when walking on crosswalks. Walking briskly and with a better sense of direction will help everyone get to his or her destination in a timely manner.
Just because pedestrians have the right of way in designated crossing areas does not mean they should abuse those privileges and dilly dally crossing the street.
A little courtesy and some common sense from both parties can go a long way in helping provide for a safer University. We hope the community uses the recent incidents as a reminder to slow down and watch for pedestrians when driving around campus. We also hope pedestrians take the time to look both ways before crossing the street.
