Accident evokes fear in students

Earl WeinsteinEarl WeinsteinDaily Pennsylvanian Staff Writer The recent collision with a car at 34th and Walnut Streets that left College freshman Jae Lee in intensive care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has raised doubts in many students minds about their safety as pedestrians. This sentiment is strongest amongst residents of Hill House who must cross Walnut street repeatedly throughout the day to get to class. "I sprint for my life and dodge cars every time I cross Walnut street," Scariano said. "I have almost been hit a few times." For some students, these near misses have turned into real collisions. "Three years ago across from 33rd and Walnut a car ran a red light and hit me," Engineering senior Chung Chuynch said. "I am much more careful now. I wait to see whether the car is going to stop or not no matter what the light says." But many students said the problem stems from a mix of students who are in a perpetual rush and apathy on the part of the drivers. "When students who are late for a class have to wait at the light at the corner of 34th and Walnut they get very frustrated," College freshman Elizabeth Hurd said. "The problem is that these students cross before the light turns green, and drivers always run yellow lights." Assistant Dean for Hill College House Steve Feld believes that in light of this carelessness among drivers there is not much more the city and the University can do to improve the safety of pedestrians on and around campus. "We have traffic lights and zebra crosswalks all around campus," Feld said. "The reality, though, is that no one really pays attention. Students cross against traffic, and the drivers do not seem to be overly concerned. "It is up to the students to pay attention regardless of who has the right of way, because in a collision between an automobile and a pedestrian, the pedestrian automatically loses," he added. According to University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich, his department has been working on the issue of pedestrian safety. "We took action a couple of years ago and obtained authorization for our officers to stop vehicles and issue moving violations," he said. "Our officers are doing a good job of stopping those drivers who clearly endanger the well being of students." Kuprevich added that because the city classifies many of the streets surrounding campus as major thoroughfares, measures such as installing speed bumps are not viable. But the University is taking steps to ensure that student safety is not subjugated to municipal law. "We have engaged city traffic engineers to investigate how we can get students safely across the street," Kuprevich said. "We are currently investigating traffic flow at Smith Walk and 34th Street." In the interim, he said each individual must be responsible for their own safety. "The best thing students can do is to cross at cross walks and always ensure that the cars are waiting for you to cross," Kuprevich said. "It is basically an awareness issue."