Walk This Way...

WALK THIS WAY...

Our sticker was placed at the intersection of Fowler Avenue and 30th Street, a busy intersection many of us pass and use on a daily basis close to the USF campus. Crossing that intersection may appear menacing and the thought of crossing from one side to the other may be daunting. Not to mention out right dangerous. Thanks to the Florida Department of Transportation they have made crossing an intersection safer and more effective by the use of crosswalks. Crosswalks are designed to give pedestrians a designated place to safely cross the street. There are different types of crosswalks; marked crosswalks, overhead crosswalk signs, pedestrian half-signals, pedestrian traffic signals, accessible pedestrian signals and pedestrian countdown signals. The type of crosswalk is determined by the traffic and pedestrian volume. The use of crosswalks makes it safer for pedestrians and drivers thus promoting public safety by reducing accidents and deaths caused by vehicles hitting pedestrians.

Crosswalks also reduce motor-vehicle flow which benefits the pedestrian safety. Crosswalks not only prevent accidents but, it also promotes healthy living. Crosswalks can also be considered Eco-friendly, the more crosswalks available, fewer cars which equals less pollution.

The National Highway traffic safety administration for the US stated in 2007 there were 4,654 people killed on crosswalks and 70,000 injured. A study showed fewer than 4% of cars will yield to pedestrians. There is no doubt without crosswalks those numbers would be much higher. Drivers and pedestrians share the responsibility of crosswalk safety. So drivers put down your cell phones, stop eating and other distractions behind the wheel and pedestrians be alert even though you have the right of way and cross in a designated crosswalk. Think Public! Think Health! Think Safe!