It’s only 15 seconds

By Brian Beck
Managing Editor

I know what running late to class is like. I have awoken numerous times and had to rush off to class without the time to even grab a soda or get a shower.

Now don’t get me wrong, I understand that pedestrians aren’t always paying attention. When you’re in control of a ton of metal, though, you have to be the one responsible for avoiding an accident.

Where is rushing through a parking lot on campus going to get you? If you’re running late to class, you’re likely more than five minutes late. If you’re speeding through the parking lot, you might manage to save 15 or 20 seconds. Of course, if you’re speeding through the lot you probably are also not paying attention to where you’re going. If you hit someone in your frantic rush to save 15 seconds, the consequences will be far worse than being late to class.

The university should help to make the campus safe for walkers. The biggest thing it could do is add more crosswalks, particularly in heavily traveled areas. For example, the road that runs in front of Old Main and Oxendine Science building needs at least one crosswalk for students crossing from the lot over the railroad tracks.

According to the North Carolina Driver’s Handbook, “Driving is a legal privilege and responsibility.” I want to stress the word responsibility - be responsible when driving your car around. You do not want to hurt someone else or yourself.

Or is saving 15 seconds of your day worth hurting someone else? I really hope that it isn’t.