I love going to UAlbany. I enjoy how close it is to the city of Albany for internship opportunities, the people I have met, the energy on campus, and events. I don’t love how within the last week, three drivers have blown through an intersection while other students and I were in the crosswalk. This happens far too often to my friends and I, and I'd rather not live in a place where students are treated like bowling pins.
As a driver, I completely understand how obnoxious it is to wait for every last straggler to haul themselves across the street. But, while I am a driver, I am also a pedestrian. So, I remind myself to be mindful, and grateful, as I sit in my nice warm car while watching people running through the snow and cold across the street, trying not to fall. Thinking of it like that makes me realize how drivers need to take it slow. Waiting an extra minute is far more important than rushing through and hitting someone.
Just recently, I was in the middle of the crosswalk that runs across University Drive West and to Empire Commons when a car decided to ignore me and drive. Thankfully, I could see the car was going too fast and I took a half step, anticipating them deciding not to stop. They continued to drive past me as I watched them, giving them a hand signal as they passed. Thankfully, in this case, University Police were nearby and turned to follow the person.
What astounds me is the vast number of people I see blow through occupied crosswalks. There are clear signs all around campus that say to stop for pedestrians. I know sometimes that pedestrians can appear “out of nowhere" so I often go much slower approaching crosswalks on campus, anticipating this.
There are a lot of students at UAlbany, 17,000 plus people attend the school, so a lot of people could be potentially walking through crosswalks. It's not asking too much of drivers to ask them to stop.
I love being able to drive. The freedom it allows is amazing. But that doesn't make me any better, or afford me any more right to the road, than someone who's walking. I am tired of having to worry about crossing the street to get from class to my apartment, or vice versa. Everyone I know does as we were taught as kids: look both ways and be careful when crossing. Sometimes it isn’t enough, and I would hate to see someone get hit because a driver thought they were above the law.
I love where I go to school but I don't love that it feels like a risk to cross the street. I hope the change will happen because I would hate to see someone get hurt. As a person and a driver, I hope people will come to their senses and see speeding through these crosswalks isn't worth it.
