Spring Break
Main Street safety a concern after student seriously injured
Sarah Kloepping & Jerica Harvey
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: News
The Aug. 26 accident involving a vehicle hitting a pedestrian has left students and faculty questioning the safety of crosswalks without traffic lights.
"It's so sad what happened to the young man, but I think we're very fortunate something like this hasn't happened more often," said Stephen Summers, assistant chancellor.
Summers said he thinks something needs to be done at the intersection to ensure the safety of people crossing.
"I've walked across [the crosswalk] several times," he said. "I think it's a challenge for anybody walking there. Cars just don't slow down between those two stop signs."
Junior Jake Rose said he doesn't feel 100 percent safe crossing the street at the crosswalks.
"Usually the older people stop, but everyone else just keeps going," he said. "You have to wait for traffic to go by."
Yellow flashing lights meant to alert drivers of crossing pedestrians were installed during the summer.
"But based on the severity of the accident that occurred, I'm not sure that the yellow lights, are in all cases, slowing people down," Summers said.
Some students said they think enough precautions are in place to keep them from harm.
"I haven't had any problems recently, " junior Justin Angelier said, "not since they put [the crosswalk signs] up."
Chancellor Richard Telfer spoke Tuesday at the Whitewater Common Council meeting to address his concerns on behalf of student safety and request stronger measures be taken at crosswalks.
* Joe Luther contributed to this report
"It's so sad what happened to the young man, but I think we're very fortunate something like this hasn't happened more often," said Stephen Summers, assistant chancellor.
Summers said he thinks something needs to be done at the intersection to ensure the safety of people crossing.
"I've walked across [the crosswalk] several times," he said. "I think it's a challenge for anybody walking there. Cars just don't slow down between those two stop signs."
Junior Jake Rose said he doesn't feel 100 percent safe crossing the street at the crosswalks.
"Usually the older people stop, but everyone else just keeps going," he said. "You have to wait for traffic to go by."
Yellow flashing lights meant to alert drivers of crossing pedestrians were installed during the summer.
"But based on the severity of the accident that occurred, I'm not sure that the yellow lights, are in all cases, slowing people down," Summers said.
Some students said they think enough precautions are in place to keep them from harm.
"I haven't had any problems recently, " junior Justin Angelier said, "not since they put [the crosswalk signs] up."
Chancellor Richard Telfer spoke Tuesday at the Whitewater Common Council meeting to address his concerns on behalf of student safety and request stronger measures be taken at crosswalks.
* Joe Luther contributed to this report
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Kendra
posted 9/03/08 @ 10:25 AM CST
What happened to the crossing guards they talked about last year? I can tell you, that (especially on Starin) they are extremely needed. Not to mention, the way the students still walk out in front of moving cars without even a seeming glance tells me that either not many got the memo, or that they really just don't care. (Continued…)
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