Students and staff members have probably noticed the new flashing lights at certain busy intersections on campus. You’ll find them on Spring Garden Street near College Avenue and on Josephine Boyd Street near Walker Avenue. Both are key areas that become swamped with pedestrians and cyclists sharing the roads with drivers during busy class changes.
These caution lights have been installed as part of a pedestrian safety campaign developed by the UNCG Police Department as an initiative to improve the safety of our campus.
As the campaign moves from an awareness phase into a consequence phase, now is the time to familiarize ourselves with driver and pedestrian responsibilities that keep our campus intersections safe.
Watch Out for the Flashing Lights Marking Busy Campus Crosswalks
Citation:
Failure to yield to a pedestrian shall be an infraction, and the court may assess a penalty of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) and not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00).
Tips for Drivers
To cut down on the incidence of “close calls” for pedestrians crossing our busy campus streets, UNCG Police will soon be issuing citations to drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians. To avoid a hefty fine, remind yourself of the following rules that drivers tend to get complacent about:
- Stay Alert
Drivers are increasingly distracted by phones, music, and navigation directions, and a busy crosswalk is full of even more distractions. Stay aware of your surroundings. This is especially important near crosswalks and campus areas with many pedestrians and cyclists.
- Always Yield to Pedestrians
To be safe, always stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, even if they aren’t clearly marked.
- Watch Your Speed
Speed limits are reduced in areas with heavy foot traffic, so make sure to adhere to posted speed limits.
Tips for Pedestrians
Unfortunately, consequences for pedestrians who do not follow safety guidelines are much more impactful than a hefty fine. Pedestrians cannot expect that drivers will see and yield to them in every instance. To avoid injury when you’re walking to class, remember the following tips:
- Always Use Crosswalks
Humans are inclined to take short cuts when running late but crossing the street without a crosswalk increases your chances of encountering a driver who isn’t expecting you.
- Look Both Ways
It might seem like advice for a child, but pedestrians must remember to look left, right, and left again before stepping off a curb. On busy roads like Josephine Boyd, a speeding car could appear from your left at a moment’s notice. Don’t forget to give that third look before proceeding.
- Avoid Distractions
Distracted walking can be just as dangerous as distracted driving. Remove headphones and put the phone away when you’re walking through our busy campus. You need use of all your senses – not only to stay safe, but to take in our beautiful campus surroundings.
Do Your Part
On a busy campus like UNCG, it’s easy to get lax about speed limits or crosswalks when you’re late for class. And in times when the campus is quiet, we all get complacent about looking both ways.
Establishing good habits can avoid citations, or worse, an accident. Watch for the new flashing caution lights and do your part to keep our campus safe for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photos by Sean Norona, University Communications.
