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Beep beep.
This sound is usually a warning; a universal way to grab the attention of others. Because of cell phones and other ear hugging gadgets, these warnings can often go unheard.
Add to the scenario that students, faculty and staff are busy with class, homework, jobs, kids and low gas tanks which can make distractions overwhelming.
Not to mention, cell phones that allow Facebook access and everyone trying to keep up with texts that just keep popping up. People may not be paying attention to their surroundings, whether they’re walking or driving around campus.
Aside from robberies, the University of Louisville has another statistic to add to the latest campus mishaps. There have been pedestrians hit near campus and their cases are still being investigated.
The U of L community should do it’s best not to increase this number.
It’s not good to point fingers, but these accidents can be avoided.
The “Do not turn on red sign” at the corner of Third Street and Eastern Parkway is often ignored, forcing drivers to stop abruptly for a pedestrian because they didn’t follow directions.
Also pedestrians don’t use the cross walks located across Third and Fourth Street. On those curvy roads, students and others will cross where they “get a chance” to cross. This is an on-going danger.
University of Louisville Police Department Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Brown said the fault is often on both parties when an accident happens. People don’t pay attention or they’re doing something else.
To drivers: “Don’t multi-task. When you drive, you drive. Don’t eat, don’t shave, don’t try and get dressed. Stay off the cell phone, if you drop something, pull over and pick it up. Don’t try and pick it up while you’re driving,” said Brown.
Although pedestrians always have the right of way, responsibility is in their hands as well. It only takes one second of not paying attention and – boom!
Stay alert and follow the walk signs.
This is a mutual endeavor.
The video cameras and safety patrols that U of L’s Department of Public Safety utilizes can only do so much. Pedestrians and drivers must obey traffic lights and signs.
The traffic level around U of L is high on all its campuses: Shelby, Health Sciences and Belknap.
The campuses don’t have to resemble a game of “Frogger” if people follow directions.
Belknap is no Manhattan, but there are a fair number of bicycles, TARC buses, a Segway here and there, a skateboard and of course vehicles that cross paths.
Caution is extremely necessary.
Like other problems that need to be solved in the world, strength is in the number of people involved. So the practice of vehicular and pedestrian safety must be practiced by all.
Pay attention, be patient and follow directions.
Unfortunately the lives of two very young girls were ended by a careless and selfish driver this summer.
This was an isolated incident, which hopefully will never happen again.
