Pedestrians must be alert when they cross the street

Editor,

As I sit outside Popejoy Hall every afternoon waiting to go home, I notice that the majority of people violate one basic rule: Look both ways before you cross.

It is as simple as that, and yet I have seen maybe only three people this week even look both ways.

Just because pedestrians have the right to walk across the street to the Bookstore does not mean you should throw out all common sense and cross the road assuming that the oncoming cars will stop.

I have seen instances where a car that had stopped for quite some time began to move. A student suddenly came along and crossed the road when the car was half way through the intersection.

The student walked right in front of the car. The driver had to apply the brakes immediately, and the pedestrian never even realized that he could have been hit.

Yes, even the drivers should be cautious, but pedestrians need to do their part and look both ways. Not just out of common courtesy, but also for their own safety.

Jennifer Edwards

UNM student