The Chapel Hill Town Council should work to make the community more pedestrian-friendly — particularly in heavy traffic areas like Weaver Dairy Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
By adding more crosswalks throughout the town, Chapel Hill would be safer for drivers and pedestrians alike, which would help prevent any further driving accidents like those that occurred on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Franklin Street in recent weeks.
More crosswalks lead to less jaywalking and fewer pedestrians failing to yield. The town should focus on adding crosswalks to areas of town that are known for heavy jaywalking.
Chapel Hill has attempted to increase pedestrian safety through installing flashing beacons with signs before the crosswalks, but the state has yet to approve them.
It’s also important to continue developing sidewalks throughout the town. Much like its campaign to widen bike lanes around Chapel Hill, the town should look to increase the number and width of sidewalks.
However, even if the town provides all the necessary safety measures, some responsibility rests with drivers and pedestrians.
Drivers should follow traffic laws and always be aware of their surroundings. Speeding and multi-tasking while driving will only increase the number of incidents. On the other hand, pedestrians need to stay on sidewalks and only cross the street at indicated crosswalks.
If the town heeds the concerns of pedestrians and drivers about pedestrian safety, everyone would benefit.
