Pedestrian Accidents Declining

DPS Deputy Director Jeff McCracken said the number of reported on-campus accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles has declined compared to last year.

During the 2001 calendar year, 11 on-campus pedestrian accidents were reported to University police. So far this year, three have been reported.

But pedestrian safety has risen to the forefront of University attention because of the frequency of recent accidents.

A 19-year-old female UNC student was hit Sept. 23 by a vehicle as she attempted to cross Cameron Avenue at a crosswalk in front of Phillips Hall.

An accident also occurred Nov. 5 when a female victim was struck by a car within a crosswalk while crossing South Road.

Pedestrian safety became a major concern at UNC in 1999 after the death of Fusayoshi Matsukawa, a UNC postdoctoral dentistry fellow, who was struck by a car within a marked crosswalk.

Since 1999, 32 on-campus pedestrian accidents have been reported.

Manning Drive, South Road, South Columbia Street and Franklin Street tend to be the most problematic areas, said Charlie Zegeer, UNC Highway Safety Research Center associate director.

Although a limited number of accidents have been reported this year, HSRC Communications Coordinator Renee Miller said it is possible more have occurred. "Sometimes the accident is a minor incident and the police are not notified," she said.

Since the 1999 accident, DPS and HSRC officials have been working to educate drivers and pedestrians.

"Pedestrian safety is a very important issue and one of concern to a wide range of people on campus," Zegeer said.

Doug Robertson, HSRC director, said efforts designed to make people more aware of their responsibilities on the road are already under way.

"We've run safety ads in buses and local papers, handed out information about safety with each UNC employee's parking pass and given PowerPoint presentations about travel safety in residence halls," he said.

Additionally, HSRC and DPS officials have developed a pedestrian safety campaign called Yield to Heels with the intention of raising awareness among drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, Robertson said.

On Yield to Heels days, volunteers with message boards and informational fliers station themselves at different crosswalks around campus and distribute safety materials. The most recent Yield to Heels day was Oct. 15, and another day is planned for the spring.

Robertson said engineering components of pedestrian safety also have been considered. "We've improved crosswalks on Manning Drive and made marking improvements on Pittsboro Street. We've also put in islands and new crosswalks on South Road."

DPS Director Derek Poarch said pedestrians and drivers share responsibility for safety. "Motorists need to be constantly aware of signage and pedestrian crosswalk areas and be ready to expect the unexpected," he said. "Pedestrians need to remember to cross in crosswalks and make eye contact with drivers."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.