Crosswalk safety concerns raised on campus

There have been two recent accidents between pedestrians and vehicles in Boulder. This has forced CU police to take action, and promote crosswalk safety and awareness. Warning students about the possible accidents that can occur is the best way to prepare them. With hundreds of crosswalks in Boulder, they often times look different from one another.

The crosswalks around campus look different, which is why many students are unaware of how to take the necessary precautions before crossing the street. There are crosswalks that look like paths, crosswalks with white strips, crosswalks that can be activated so while you walk across them they blink for the passing vehicles. There are also crosswalks that blink "walk," and "do not walk" signals as you cross to the other side of the street. Students need to realize that these different crosswalks are there for a reason, to protect them.

To safely walk across the street, CU Police Officer Melanie Molander wants to remind students to always check both ways and look for traffic before crossing. More importantly, she urges students to remember to always push the button on the crosswalk signals. Even if someone in front of you has pressed it already, it is important to press it again before you cross. This reactivates the signal triggering the white walking man to stay on longer, allowing more and more students safely across the street.

Most students graze across the street as though they are invisible. Travis Lockwood, a barista at Buchanaans coffee shop, said, "Students are not paying attention to the signs and crosswalk signals, it’s blatant j-walking.” There is a penalty for this, and students and vehicles who misuse the crosswalks will receive a ticket.

For safety tips go to: http://newsteamboulder.org/news/crosswalk-safety-tips
http://newsteamboulder.org/news/crosswalk-safety-tips