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Originally published October
12, 2000 |
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We've all seen those signs in the streets
that run along campus saying, "Stop for pedestrians in crosswalk."
Anyone who has ever driven around campus also knows what kind
of a pain it can be when every car has to stop at a crosswalk
for a single walker. It already takes long enough to get from
the Getty to the light at the corner of George and Frederick. The added delay of having traffic stop so often makes drivers less likely to stop in the future. When drivers aren't stopping for walkers, the walkers get impatient and go whenever they feel like it. This creates a dangerous situation; drivers not stopping and walkers darting out when and where ever they choose. Millersville may be a small town, but it has big city traffic problems, especially at those key times in the day of 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. In order to solve this problem, Millersville may need to use big city solutions to better service both drivers and walkers. Instead of having the campus police on the corner next to Hash merely watching traffic drive by, they should be in the street doing something. These police officers could help the current driving situation by directing traffic, holding walkers back until a group forms and then stopping traffic, allowing the walkers to go. Both drivers and walkers are in a huge hurry and the best way to equally serve them is to use the above solution. Darting out in front of cars irritates drivers-making them less likely to stop for a walker in the crosswalk the next time. With less drivers willing to stop for people in the crosswalk, walkers are more likely to dart out as soon as they reach the curb. This scenario feeds upon itself until drivers are irritated with walkers and visa versa. The university police are our best hope in making sure that things are fair, insuring that both drivers and walkers get to class as quickly and with as little hassle as possible. So, instead of busily ticketing illegally parked vehicles, help keep the walkers and drivers moving. We promise you, those illegally parked cars will still be there later in the day. We urge drivers to be patience and stop for walkers in the crosswalks. We all know how bad traffic is throughout the county. Millersville isn't much better; nevertheless, you need to stop for walkers. We urge walkers to be patient and to use the crosswalks and wait for a vehicle to stop. We all appreciate your desire to be in class on time. The drivers are trying to do the same. We urge the university police to help keep traffic flowing smoothly while keeping walkers safely moving on their way to class. ================================ |
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