In my three years at RPI I’ve done a fair bit of driving and walking in the area, especially since I don’t live on campus. In that time I’ve noticed several things about drivers and pedestrians that frustrate me, so I wanted to mention a few simple things that people can do to make the experience better for everyone.
Cars are supposed to stop for pedestrians in the road, but there are some things that make it difficult for them to do so. When walking, be aware of your surroundings and take responsibility for your own safety.
Try to cross intersections with the traffic lights, not against them. I’ve had people walk in front of my car at a stoplight after the light turned green. This gets pretty annoying after a while.
Look both ways before crossing the street, sometimes the cars coming don’t see you. This is especially important at the crosswalk on 15th Street between the Union and the Quad. Sometimes tall cars park on either side of the crosswalk and it’s impossible to see pedestrians until they are actually in the road.
Don’t walk into the road right in front of a car. Drivers are not expecting people to cross the road 30 feet from a crosswalk. It’s even worse when people walk out from between cars without warning.
Be more careful when road conditions are bad and when its dark out. It is harder for drivers to see pedestrians under these conditions, and when the roads are icy or slick from snow it takes a longer time for cars to stop. If you walk too close in front of a car the driver might not be able to stop in time.
There are things that drivers can do as well to make things safer for everyone.
Stop for pedestrians, especially if the traffic is too heavy for them to cross between cars. They’re trying to go somewhere too.
Be aware of the possibility of pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks. There are not always pedestrians at the crosswalks on 15th Street and the corners of Burdett & Sage Avenue but they are there often, so check as you drive up.
Only take up one space when parking. Most everyone would agree that parking is difficult on and around campus. Don’t make it worse by parking far enough over the line that a car can’t fit into the space next to you. When there aren’t visible lines, try to park as close to other cars as possible while still leaving enough space for the cars to leave and people to get in and out of them. Finding a space that is not quite big enough is annoying for the driver that arrives next and wants to park there but can’t.
Pedestrians and drivers: be aware and be considerate of other people. It will make for a much more pleasant day for everyone.
