The Daily Campus

Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Commentary

Everyone knows what a pain it is to drive around campus while classes are in session with the traffic, the nonexistent parking spots and of course, the jaywalking students. However, with numerous crosswalks all over campus, there is no need for pedestrians on campus to inconvenience drivers.

Many students still make an effort to use the crossing signals. It usually goes like this: Press the button a few times in a row, then wait 10 seconds and walk out into the road without looking, because clearly just being in the crosswalk means that you're suddenly made of steel. By the time you are on the other side, you hear that obnoxious beeping noise and turn to see several cars stopped at the light with no one crossing. If this doesn't make you feel guilty, we have a problem on our campus.

Students need to be more respectful to drivers while crossing the street on campus. It is not only dangerous, but extremely rude to walk into the road when it is not your turn to cross. More importantly though, people need to remember just how much trouble drivers face for hitting pedestrians whether or not it was the driver's fault. Pedestrians can attempt to sue drivers for vehicular negligence if cars hit them. While accident scenes are closely investigated, it is still risky for drivers and could easily be avoided by responsible pedestrians.

And pedestrians, too, can also face consequences for accidents caused by their disregard for traffic laws. When they ignore crossing signals, fail to cross on the crosswalk or just dart into traffic, they can be charged with contributory negligence in the case of an accident. Students can also be charged with jaywalking. Just imagine how many tickets students would get in a day if the UConn police started monitoring that.

UConn is a city within a town. There are other people living in this town and they need to get to and from places just as often as students do. There are families who have been driving in the area since long before current students were freshmen in college. While UConn is a temporary home to students, it is always home for the residents of Mansfield and surrounding towns. UConn also employs many people who need to drive around campus to get to work. These employees may be adding up your fee bill or making your dinner, but whoever they are, students need to let them drive without being afraid of hurting someone.

As simple and childish as it sounds, look both ways before crossing the street. Use the crosswalks and pay attention to the traffic signals. Even though crosswalks give pedestrians the right of way, in the case of an accident, who really owns the road? The 120-pound freshman or the 5,500-pound car? Please, just look both ways.

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