Editor,
I appreciate your recent article and attention to the issue of pedestrian safety. I believe this is an important issue, both on main and north campus. As a staff member and student, I spend quite a bit of time walking on campus.
I would like to point out two other crosswalks that I feel are dangerous for those of us on north campus. One is the intersection at Yale Boulevard and Lomas Boulevard and the other is at Tucker Avenue and Yale Boulevard. I have had the worst experiences at Tucker Avenue and Yale Boulevard, which is a four-way stop. Problems have included: Drivers not stopping completely, drivers continuing while people are halfway through the crosswalk, and drivers ignoring pedestrians waiting to cross. I personally have almost been hit by at least six cars (a conservative estimate) in the last year.
I believe some level of monitoring is essential to preventing future problems. Rather than having a crosswalk guard who must be present at all times, perhaps the periodic presence of campus police at crosswalks could make a difference. If people think there is a chance that they are being monitored, they are much less likely to violate traffic laws which will lead to safer streets for everyone.
Again, thank you for your attention to this important and often overlooked issue.
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Jennifer George
UNM staff
