Re: Endangered species affects making intersection safer

jporter — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:48:34 -0000

Though I am encouraged that pedestrian safety is at least being discussed, I was very disappointed to read that the subject of pedestrian safety seems to have been curbed due to the endangered species in the river. There are dozens of things the university, citizens and the city could do to improve safety at Aquarena Springs Dr and Sessom Dr. We could put up pedestrian warning signs for motorist, we could initiate a hortatory advertising campaign warning drivers about right turns on green when pedestrians are present in the crosswalk, we could redesign the traffic signals to allow a designated right turn, we could add a crossing guard or use existing traffic cameras to fine motorist for failure to yield to pedestrians. Also, we could step up police enforcement and people will realize fast enough that it is dangerous to drive through crosswalks where people are walking, or pay the fine. This very article could have been a forum for alternatives to
structural modifications in this wildlife sensitive area. Because walking is not the norm in Texas, as evidenced by the lack of sidewalks, we often forget pedestrian traffic rules. When I grew up the first rule you learned was pedestrians have the right of was in a crosswalk. There is another rule about walking facing traffic when possible that is pretty useful too. Please consider these alternatives to doing nothing. I walk that route every time I leave campus. I will tell you for every 1 car that stops, 5 or more cars will race through the intersection to avoid being inconvenienced by us slow moving pedestrians. The vehicles that do stop are in peril of being rear ended by motorist following too close and not paying attention to the pedestrians in the crosswalk. I know that the sun also plays a factor in this issue because in the evening the sun is directly in your eyes as you approach this intersection. It is a motorist’s responsibility to be
able to see out of his vehicle and that burden cannot be shifted to pedestrians. For now, I am cautiously crossing. There are six ideas on this page that can help with no effect on our sensitive ecology. Think proactive. Please do not make a pedestrian accident be the catalyst for change. There are things we can do about this that will not affect our ecology. Joseph Porter, Public Administration Senior

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Re: Endangered species affects making intersection safer