Only three months ago Engineering students Norhananim Zainol and
Teh Nanni Roshema Roslan were killed by a driver in a pickup truck
while crossing Plymouth Road.
Despite the incident and the University’s efforts to
prevent similar accidents in the future, students and faculty alike
continue to jaywalk.
Although jaywalking is commonly shrugged off as a minor fault
and not worth reporting, Ann Arbor Police Department Lt. Mike
Logghe said it has potential danger.
“It might not be a serious issue now, but it will be
serious when someone gets hit by a car,” said Logghe.
According to Logghe, the reason individuals resort to crossing
the street illegally is due to their fast-paced lifestyle.
“Most people think they’re too busy to wait, they
don’t think they have enough time for anything anymore.
People just have to learn how to slow down,” Logghe said.
Since the accident involving Zainol and Roslan, members of the
Malaysian Students Association, Department of Public Safety
Director Bill Bess said there has been discussion with the city
police regarding how to improve safety on Plymouth Road.
Last week during a City Council meeting, a preliminary report
was issued that showed that the University supports the
city’s decisions regarding matters of safety on Plymouth
Road.
But students hold a variety of thoughts regarding the
seriousness of jaywalking.
Engineering junior Fatima Alkatheeri said it’s a good idea
to wait the two or three minutes for a traffic light to change.
“Most of the time I do follow traffic lights for my own
safety, as well as the safety of others. I don’t see a reason
why I wouldn’t,” said Alkatheeri.
But LSA freshman Pauline Clark admits that she jaywalks very
frequently.
“I’m not obnoxious about it. I don’t get in
the way of the flow of traffic. The crosswalks just aren’t
always the most convenient or efficient paths,” Clark
said.
University Planner and Traffic Consultant Susan Gott has held
meetings with University officials regarding the matter, to inform
the community about the risks of jaywalking and the necessary
safety measures to avoid an accident.
“We’ve had many meetings with the School of Public
Health and the Ronald McDonald House to communicate the information
regarding jaywalking. Pedestrians must realize that there are large
vehicles moving around and that they need to pay more attention
when crossing public roads for both their safety as well as the
safety of driver.”
As warmer weather sets in and more students ride their bicycles,
Bess said he urges drivers to be at a high alert when dodging
cyclists.
“Pedestrian safety is always an issue,” Bess
said.
“It’s very important for us to ask community members
to pay attention for vehicle traffic.”