As a college student in Pennsylvania, you want to be able to easily and safely maneuver your campus. You may have to walk to and from classes and your dorm room, or you might choose to ride a bike. However, there may be a lot of traffic, which can increase the risk of accidents and injuries.
How can you safely maneuver around your campus?
Being alert at all times is essential to staying safe and avoiding personal injury. Use these tips to stay safe while maneuvering around campus:
- Only cross the street at designated crosswalks and when the traffic is clear.
- Yield to vehicles, including bicycles, when not in a crosswalk.
- Make eye contact with drivers when preparing to cross the street to make sure they see you.
- Keep to your right and never walk in the bike lane.
- If you’re walking on roads that lack sidewalks, face the traffic and avoid turning your back to approaching vehicles.
- Be smart and don’t use your cellphone while crossing the street. Wear bright-colored clothing and stay in well-lit areas while out at night.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs so that you can be as alert as possible.
What can the campus do to increase safety?
Campuses can do their part to prevent accidents among students. The following measures increase safety:
- Visible pavement markings: Vibrant, visible pavement markings can clearly exhibit traffic lanes, bike lanes, crosswalks and more.
- Parking restrictions: Cars shouldn’t park in areas that create a problem for other motorists and pedestrians. There should be at least 20 feet of space between parking areas and crosswalks.
- Signs in streets: There should be clear, concise signs in streets to inform drivers and pedestrians.
- Advance stop or yield lines: Advance stop or yield lines should be 20 to 50 feet before a crosswalk in order to keep pedestrians safer as they add a buffer zone for them.
- Crossing guards: Crossing guards can help pedestrians safely cross the roads and avoid accidents.
These measures can help to keep everyone safer on and around college campuses. If everyone is alert and follows traffic laws, the potential for an accident will be reduced.