Spring Break
City to act on crosswalk danger
Telfer requests more precautions for student, walker safety
Jerica Harvey
Issue date: 9/10/08 Section: News
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Chancellor Richard Telfer addressed the Whitewater Common Council about the university's concern for student safety on near-campus intersections.
Mike Chaloupka died Tuesday after suffering from 12 broken bones and collapsed lungs.
"I am here to express a concern with the safety of the crosswalk at Whiton and Main streets that was highlighted by Mike being struck by a car while crossing the intersection," Telfer said at the meeting. "I applaud the city for installing the lighted pedestrian signs, but I am not sure they are sufficient."
The Whitewater Police Department has taken precautionary measures by putting up pedestrian signs the morning after the accident happened, warning students they found jaywalking and even patrolling some campus crossings.
The police department also released a statement asking students to be careful when crossing any streets, and to use the trombone-armed signs that light up when walkers press a button before using a crosswalk.
Telfer pointed out that while police reports stated no lighted sign was activated during the accident, there was actually no activating button at the crosswalk he was in.
He said even though the yellow flashing lights may create awareness of pedestrian presence, they do not necessarily require drivers to stop.
Telfer suggested the city should either prohibit left turns at the intersection to lessen confusion for drivers, or install traffic lights to better control traffic.
"I don't have the answer," he said. "I've suggested some, but I'm pleased the council is taking this up."
Whitewater Police Chief James Coan said this has been the first pedestrian accident all year.
"All of these accidents involving pedestrians are a result of failure to yield on either the driver or the pedestrian," Coan said during the meeting.
Common Council President Patrick Singer also suggested having a pedestrian refuge in between the four lanes of traffic so crosswalkers could cross two lanes at a time. City Manager Kevin Brunner said the city will begin working diligently to pull together suggestions for a solution and cost quotes for the Sept. 9 council meeting.
"Recently, lighted signs were installed, but we want to continue to look at ways to improve the safety at all crosswalks," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Jim
posted 9/09/08 @ 11:19 PM CST
The city and UWW are just going to keep throwing more small amounts of money at the problem until someone gets killed... oh wait that already happened. (Continued…)
Nate
posted 9/10/08 @ 11:53 AM CST
I think they need to actually create a stop light system that stops traffic when students need to cross, be if the stop light is for 30 seconds. Who cares if the cars need to wait a little while, its better than having students running across the street. (Continued…)
Amazon Herbs
posted 9/11/08 @ 12:35 AM CST
It should not take someone getting killed to put up a light at an intersection. It should have been done before this.
dave
posted 9/11/08 @ 8:06 PM CST
Once the US 12 bypass was completed, UWW should have insisted -- demanded -- that the city reconfigure traffic to favor pedestrians. Maybe the stretch of Main Street in front of Anderson and Young should have a median and only one lane in each direction to slow traffic. (Continued…)
Cara
posted 9/16/08 @ 4:40 PM CST
The crosswalk near the library is definitely crazy and we all know that. But how hard is it to walk half a block down the street to prince and main, or a block the other way to prairie and main? I think students need to start taking more responsibility for themselves. (Continued…)
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