After a car accident on the Moscow-Pullman Highway left a University of Idaho student severely injured Monday, community leaders, pedestrians and drivers alike need to re-evaluate the importance of creating and maintaining a safe environment for people traveling to and from the UI campus.
Community leaders should re-examine the feasibility and financial costs of a pedestrian bridge or  the use of an illuminated crosswalk that would allow UI students and Moscow residents to cross the road safely.

In 2005, the Moscow City Council and community members debated about the use of pedestrian bridges in other areas of Moscow. It is time that subject be addressed again for the crosswalk on the Moscow-Pullman Highway near the Stinker Station.
James Hazelton, 20, attempted to take the right precautions when crossing the street by choosing to activate the warning lights when a car struck him at approximately 30 mph in broad daylight. 

Three people have been involved in similar accidents in the crosswalk since the warning lights and signs have been put into place.
Many students, like Hazelton, use that crosswalk every day, multiple times a day. More and more apartment complexes are being built in that area of Moscow to accommodate students’ housing needs.
Many UI students from the dorms and Greek Row utilize that particular crosswalk to access restaurants, Winco and the mall — all are businesses in the area that are reliant on student financial support.

Moscow leaders should recognize the town is financially dependent on the money the university’s students bring in and should therefore be concerned with the health and safety of those individuals.
Pedestrians using the crosswalk should understand the dangers associated with the crossing and should take extreme caution when using the crosswalk. Even though Idaho law states drivers must to yield to pedestrians, it doesn’t mean bikers or pedestrians should ignore common sense and step on to a busy roadway without vigilance and without taking the proper precautions of using the warning lights.

Drivers must take extra care around that specific area. Take heed of the warning lights and be aware that if drivers of other vehicles are slowing down or are stopped, as was the case with Hazelton, they are doing so for a reason.
The use of the warning lights are not enough to ensure pedestrian safety for that crosswalk, and further examination of other alternatives should be explored to prevent accidents like this from happening again.

	1. 26-09-2008 15:18
	Pedestrian bridge... pedestrian bridge. Registered

ocon6316

	2. 27-09-2008 03:58
	Patience is tough! Many accidents on the road happen because there is a lack of patience in this world. We are always in a rush and need to slow down. That is the key in avoiding accidents. Registered

stconk81

	3. 27-09-2008 09:19
	Street corssing I have seen students enter the street without even breaking stride at 5:oo in the afternoon. Yeah , you have the right of way, and I have a 4000 pound truck hauling a 3000 pound trailer. even at 25 mph, with lights suddenly flashing for the crosswalk, I can't stop for jesus christ himself if he steps in front of me.     Yeah, I go to jail (maybe) the walker goes to the hospital or worse, the morge. Just sayin. Registered

Gigantopithacus

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