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On average, 66 traffic accidents occur in a year here at Virginia Tech. That means we have over one accident a week — a number so high that it sounds a bit absurd. However, this problem reflects a serious attitude problem people on campus have when it comes to crossing the street.
Although Virginia Tech has done a good job making this campus pedestrian-friendly, it has been engrained in our student culture that pedestrians have complete priority when it comes to crosswalks, even to the point where people think the lessons of old like looking both ways are no longer applicable. This goes double when people are looking at their phones.
This “right of way” mentality is a characteristic of our culture that has blinded road safety and disregarded the caution necessary when interacting with much larger, heavier vehicles. Students need to be more self-aware when nearing these crosswalks, while also realizing drivers often have this same careless mentality as well.
Accidents will continue until both drivers and walkers begin to treat crosswalks with the same understanding of cooperation rather than selfishness and ignorance.
There are possible solutions that the school administration could do that would be effective, such as taking out parking spots before the crosswalks on Washington Street or Alumni Mall, thereby increasing visibility for both pedestrians and drivers. Yet, this would only be a Bandaid on the issue and doesn't tackle the issue of our culture’s lack of awareness.
A version of this article appeared in the Feb 26 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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This works effectively in third world countries: no auto insurance. ... unless you want it for yourself. If you fear the fact that somebody won't be able to pay you if you get into an accident even if it is your right of way, then you'll think twice before being that 'right of way - ahole'. I'm willing to bet that if nobody was required to have auto insurance and people know this, then a lot less accidents would happen simply because we know that most people couldn't afford to pay for a mistake. This would also get rid of the absolute right of way mentality. If you don't want to get hit and deal with an accident, because you know you'll never get money to pay for your car, then you'll think twice before being the right of way jerk.
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There are a lot of factors of factors to consider.
People from other places such as out of state students or even in state students may not know the rules of the road.
While VT is a bit crowded and congested it in no way engrained the culture of right of way just by simply being built in Blacksburg and have students attend the university.
People of all ages and generations can't drive. Both sexes can't drive. Simply it could be a facet of people wanting things "now" or being in a rush while driving.
This editorial board article is okay but that one run on sentence does not make it a paragraph and please use proper spacing and formatting.
6/10 would maybe read again.
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As I driver I am quite happy to stop at all crosswalks and let as many pedestrians cross as needed. What gets me aggravated is when students continue to cross wherever they please, without looking, dawdle, or stop in the middle of the street to have a conversation with a friend. BTW, I very much appreciate those who take a moment to give a quick wave or nod of thanks. Makes a big difference in my attitude.
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http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-924
"No pedestrian shall enter or cross an intersection in disregard of approaching traffic."
Just FYI for those that think just being in a crosswalk trumps the right of way of a 3000 lb moving vehicle.
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