Walk cautiously to class
Issue date: 10/13/08 Section: Opinion
All of us have experienced it - that is, all of us who walk to class have: service vehicles on campus using the sidewalks.
For those of you who aren't familiar with this concept, the university employs the use of vehicles campus-wide and allows them the elite privilege of sidewalk usage to complete their day-to-day tasks. These vehicles are not used on the skinny walkways, but the broad sidewalks around the main quad of campus. The vehicles are used for various reasons, mysterious to students, and are solid white except for the Western Illinois University logo somewhere on the vehicles' bodies.
This use of these service vehicles is potentially hazardous to pedestrians. The possibility of the vehicles striking students is too great. This is not necessarily the fault of the drivers. They can't help that the engines are quiet or that their supervisors and bosses require them to use the sidewalks; however, as students and pedestrians, we at the WC think it would be in the best interest of both drivers and pedestrians for both to be cautious when using walkways.
To the drivers, we advise this: Please honk and/or politely ask students to move if they are obstructing your driving, and please don't speed. We cannot promise every student won't be offended, but the alternative could be hitting the person, which is a career-ender. Speeding is something that shouldn't have to be addressed, but it's good to keep in mind. The speed zones through campus are 20 miles per hour, and drivers should go even slower on sidewalks.
To the students: Don't walk through the middle of the sidewalk with your iPod blaring, oblivious to the world. We have to share the sidewalks, so don't put yourself in danger by acting stupidly. When a driver asks you to move to permit them to drive, don't be a jerk - move over without question.
If neither of these can be met, maybe the sidewalks should be paved over and road signs should be planted. For the safety of all across campus, service vehicle drivers and pedestrians should cooperate for the greater good.
For those of you who aren't familiar with this concept, the university employs the use of vehicles campus-wide and allows them the elite privilege of sidewalk usage to complete their day-to-day tasks. These vehicles are not used on the skinny walkways, but the broad sidewalks around the main quad of campus. The vehicles are used for various reasons, mysterious to students, and are solid white except for the Western Illinois University logo somewhere on the vehicles' bodies.
This use of these service vehicles is potentially hazardous to pedestrians. The possibility of the vehicles striking students is too great. This is not necessarily the fault of the drivers. They can't help that the engines are quiet or that their supervisors and bosses require them to use the sidewalks; however, as students and pedestrians, we at the WC think it would be in the best interest of both drivers and pedestrians for both to be cautious when using walkways.
To the drivers, we advise this: Please honk and/or politely ask students to move if they are obstructing your driving, and please don't speed. We cannot promise every student won't be offended, but the alternative could be hitting the person, which is a career-ender. Speeding is something that shouldn't have to be addressed, but it's good to keep in mind. The speed zones through campus are 20 miles per hour, and drivers should go even slower on sidewalks.
To the students: Don't walk through the middle of the sidewalk with your iPod blaring, oblivious to the world. We have to share the sidewalks, so don't put yourself in danger by acting stupidly. When a driver asks you to move to permit them to drive, don't be a jerk - move over without question.
If neither of these can be met, maybe the sidewalks should be paved over and road signs should be planted. For the safety of all across campus, service vehicle drivers and pedestrians should cooperate for the greater good.
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