Signs Keep Students Safe

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Signs Keep Students Safe

Linna Jones
Staff Writer

Vehicles stop for pedestrians at crosswalks because that's what the law specifies.

Around Feb. 1, signs appeared in the middle of almost all the crosswalks on campus to protect the students, and make drivers slow down and pay attention to pedestrians. The state law does not require that signs be put up, but the signs attract attention to the places where pedestrians cross.

"People are slowing down more for safety and try not to hit the signs. We're constantly thinking of the students' safety," said Mark Davis, vice chancellor of Finance and Administration.

Opinions of the signs varied. Some students said they feel the signs are keeping them safer.

"I feel they are keeping me safe; the cars see the sign and slow down," said Russell Shyne, a first-year education major from Houston, Texas.

Others think the signs may distract drivers.

"I think they are unnecessary and they are a distraction," sophomore Lauren Raynor said.

The Department of Finance and Administration issued the signs to be placed on campus. Each sign costs about $125 with the base; the funding for these signs originates from the parking lot and roads account.

Physical Plant director Jim Hudgins said cars hit two or three signs every day. Maintenance workers and campus police often put the signs back on the stands; many signs that disappear are recovered. While an official count of lost signs does not exist, an estimated half a dozen are currently considered lost.

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