Lack of crosswalks leads to injuries
By Leon Preston
Asst. Around the Campus Editor
Odum/Prospect Road and Highway 711 are becoming more dangerous for UNCP faculty, students and staff because of the lack of cross walks and speeding drivers.
A staff member of Facilities Operations was struck by a vehicle and badly injured over the summer. Two weeks after the fall semester started a former student was struck crossing Odum/Prospect Road and was bruised badly. Both persons were hospitalized for a time.
Dr. Jay Vest, chair of the Faculty Health, Safety, and Environmental Committee, said "that a plan for sidewalks, crosswalks, and lower speed limits is the first thing on their agenda this year."
"We (UNCP) have a moral obligation to help students get across the street," Dr. Vest said.
Across Odum/Prospect Road is a KFC, Burger King, Berea Baptist Church and the new office for DoIT (Division of Information and Technology). These places average about 1,000 students a day crossing the road to get to class, eat or park.
"Students, faculty and staff are advised to use the cross walks," said Assistant Chief Dwayne Hunt of the Town of Pembroke Police.
There are no crosswalks on Highway 711 and only one on Odum/Prospect Road near GPAC and Pembroke Place Apartments.
Chief McDuffie Cummings of the University Police and Public Safety office said he has requested that the highway patrol and Pembroke police department issue more tickets for speeding drivers.
Many of the international students do not drive and walk to various places to get food and are always in danger of getting hit by speeding cars, Dr. Vest pointed out.
"Pedestrians have the right of way; but people need to pay attention and observe traffic flow while crossing these roads," Chief Cummings said.
Faculty, staff and students are urged by Dr. Vest to speak up about the conditions of crossing the two busy highways by signing petitions and speaking to the Health, Safety and Environmental Committee members.
The committee meets four times a year and all their meetings are open to the public.
For more information contact Dr. Vest in the American Indian Studies department.
