Comstock Avenue, University Place intersection needs improvement

As part of the Department of Public Safety’s pedestrian safety campaign, officers will attempt to reduce dangers on campus streets by handing out information cards and talking to students on campus. At a university level, it would seem this kind of education should not be necessary, but history at Syracuse University proves otherwise.

The Comstock Avenue and University Place intersection is undeniably one of the most dangerous and populated intersections on campus, and it deserves special attention. In the spring semester, two students were hit by cars on Comstock Avenue. Based on information DPS has accumulated about the intersection, the problem seems to rest with the pedestrians and not with the cars.

The nature of Comstock Avenue is inherently dangerous — its slight hill makes it difficult for drivers to see. The road, two lanes on each side, is wider than is customary.

There are many steps community members can take to help alleviate the problem. Having more police in the area could discourage students from jaywalking, and it could ensure an officer is on the scene in the case of an accident. Adjusting the time of the walk signal and green light could keep students from crossing the street when they are not supposed to. Enforcing the speed limit could help slow cars down.

Students must be patient. Being a few minutes late to class is better than potentially being struck by a car. They also should not wear headphones while crossing the street, which drowns out traffic noise and increases the risk of an accident occurring. Students who are out on a weekend and who may be drunk have slower reaction times and muddier thought processes. It would be impractical to expect students to change their social patterns and would be difficult to change the nature of the road, so more plausible, easier steps can be taken.

Drivers should know they are driving through an area with heavy foot traffic and should slow down to avoid injuring a pedestrian.

It may seem simple, but these accidents are often preventable.