Accidents bring pedestrian safety to light

Recent auto-pedestrian accidents in Commerce have brought pedestrian safety to the forefront of university and city concerns.

The decision to install pedestrian-activated lighted crosswalks was agreed upon near the time retired Texas A&M University-Commerce professor Dr. Jack Ingram was fatally struck by a car while attempting to cross the roadway near the intersection of Live Oak Street and Prim Street.

The pedestrian-activated lighted sidewalks are under development and are to be put in areas where the city of Commerce and A&M-Commerce feel pedestrians are at a higher risk of being hit by oncoming vehicles.

"I think the obvious dangers to pedestrians are going to be the Culver Street crossing, the Highway 50 crossing and the crossing at West Neal Street by the Sam Rayburn Student Center," Lt. Jason Bone of the University Police Department (UPD) said.

There was an auto-pedestrian accident that took place last year at the Whitley Hall/Culver Street crosswalk. Two students walked across the crosswalk at night and were struck by a vehicle. This accident did not end with a fatality but could have if the car had been going at full speed.

"I was a passenger in another car with some friends that night, but I was still scared about hitting the two guys," sophomore Carlos Robles said. "It was so dark, and you could barely see them crossing the street. There were several other vehicles that had to slam on their brakes or swerve in an attempt to not hit them. It wasn't until the next day that I learned the two guys had been hit at all."

This accident did lead to some precautionary measures, which were installed over the summer. Returning and new students discovered rumbling strips installed near the Whitley Hall crosswalk to remind drivers to slow down and be aware of pedestrians. However, the UPD and many others believe extra steps need to be taken.

"I think the UPD helped promote the pedestrian-activated lighted crosswalks by asking for better lighting, but it certainly was a group effort," Bone said. "The office of the president, the residential living and learning department and facilities all asked for better lighting. The city of Commerce was a big help too."

Several students also seem to agree lighting is an issue while trying to avoid hitting people on the crosswalks.

"You cannot see people walking across the street until you are right up on them," junior Bethany Yates said. "The crosswalk in front of Whitley is in a 40 mph zone. Someone could seriously get injured."

Pedestrians must be aware of what is going on around them and not rely on drivers to stop for them to cross a road, Bone said.

"While legally vehicles are required to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, I see numerous pedestrians blindly step out into traffic hoping that motorists will see them," Bone said. "If a pedestrian sees a speeding vehicle coming toward them, don't step out in front of it. Use basic safety sense."

Bone said drivers must also take the responsibility in their hands and keep a watchful eye out.

"My main advice to drivers would be to slow down," Bone said. "There are certain times of the day and certain weather conditions that make it very difficult to see a pedestrian. If a driver is traveling too fast, they won't be able to stop if they happen to see someone in the roadway at the last minute. They should also be aware of where the crosswalks are and to look for slowing or stopped vehicles at these sites."