Anyone that has driven around campus has probably made one simple observation. Elon pedestrians are not the smartest of people.

Yes, drivers are supposed to yield the right of way to pedestrians, especially in crosswalks, but Elon students take this for granted. Many just march across the street and do not even bother looking up to see if death could be coming at them in the form of a Honda Civic.

The worst of this group of oblivious pedestrians are the ones that are too busy talking on their cell phones. It’s as if they think that because they are on the phone, they do not have to look and see if a car is coming.

These people are also the ones that will not even give a wave of thanks to the driver, who just spared the pedestrian’s life by slamming on their breaks.

However, just because someone gives a wave, that does not mean the oncoming cars are going to stop. Make sure the driver is already slowing down or stopped before you take a step into the road or wave.

Most likely, your hand will not win a battle of strength against a ton of metal, glass and plastic.

Of course there are those pedestrians that take a few steps into the street, realize it probably was not the best idea as they see the oncoming car and then freeze with a look that cries “Oh no! Please don’t hit me!”

These people are usually on a cell phone as well and did not bother looking up to check the traffic status until it was too late. They also probably go on to tell the person on the other end of the phone that they think they are going to die, yet they do not try to get across the street any faster.

Also, night is not a good time to try any of these approaches to cross the street. The reason for this is, well, it’s dark outside. Drivers cannot see you until you are right in front of them and bad words will be yelled in your direction when you do this. It does not help matters. Not at all.

Walkers are not the only culprits to this growing problem, bikers are just as bad. They will come whizzing across the street with blatant disregard for their lives and other condition of the car they are trying to beat. This goes for skateboarders, longboarders and whatever other kind of boarders there are.

There is one solution for this problem. Safe Walks. It’s a program where students, who realize they risk bodily harm every time they need to cross campus, can call a number and within 15 minutes, someone will come and tell them when it is appropriate to cross the street.

Safe Walks will also be sure that these students are not talking on a cell phone, or at least telling the person on the other end to hold on, until after they have safely crossed the street.

At Elon, drivers have learned that they need to watch out for inconsiderate pedestrians, but drivers everywhere may not be this patient. If Elon pedestrians realize now that they have problems, they will be better prepared for the real world.

Staff: - 10/24/07