Crosswalk safety

MSU police work to educate pedestrians about busy intersections

Whether she’s tardy for class or trying to get somewhere fast, zoology junior Marilyn Smith has been known to throw caution to the wind when traversing campus crosswalks.

“Plenty of times, especially when you’re late or trying to catch a bus, I’ve had to duck and dodge cars to get to where I’m going,” Smith said.

It’s pedestrians like Smith who have MSU police officers watching out for dangerous situations in campus crosswalks created by inattentive walkers and drivers.

“We have distracted pedestrians here,” MSU police Sgt. Randy Holton said. “We have pedestrians who are talking on their cell phones and listening to their iPods and thinking about what they have to do in the future, not what they should be doing in the present time.”

Holton, who is in charge of the department’s traffic unit, typically assigns two officers per day to monitor traffic situations — including crosswalk violations.

When assigned to the traffic unit, MSU police Officer Doug Smith said he sees pedestrians and drivers who don’t know right-of-way rules, resulting in near-misses and occasional accidents.

“It’s twofold — you come down a street and you’re driving and there are 2,000 kids walking, and it’s overwhelming for the driver of the vehicle,” Smith said. “For students, it’s almost like if there’s a gap or an opening, then they say, ‘Hey, I’m walking.’”

Smith estimated the department responds to about five accidents per week involving collisions between cars and either pedestrians or bicyclists.

The highest volume of problems are on Farm Lane at the central part of campus, Bogue Street crosswalks and the stoplight east of Brody Complex.

Holton said to help deter and educate pedestrians and motorists who contribute to dangerous situations, officers issue citations on occasion.

“I can’t tell you how many citations (officers) issue, but they do go out and focus on it,” Holton said. “A lot of times what we’re making contact with are blatant violators, the ones that were a danger, and walked out in front of a danger, causing some type of unsafe situation.”

To help avoid situations like these, Holton and Smith advise pedestrians to stay alert when approaching crosswalks and only cross when lighted signals indicate.

At crosswalks without electronic signals, pedestrians need to make their intention to cross early while motorists approaching a slowed car should anticipate pedestrians, Smith said.

“Traffic safety is critically important at a community like this,” MSU police Assistant Chief Mike Rice said. “The number of car-pedestrian accidents we have is very low, and that’s a goal and a very appropriate use of the officer’s time.”

East Lansing police Capt. Kim Johnson said the city department doesn’t specifically seek out pedestrians causing traffic problems.

“It’s not a focus, but if someone is in the middle of the street, the cops would have every right to stop the individual and give them a verbal warning,” Johnson said. “I can see people giving warnings, but we don’t have the time to issue citations.”

Published on Tuesday, October 16, 2007