Crosswalk Etiquette

I grew up in a small town and was always taught to look both ways before crossing the street, even if you're in a cross walk. It always seemed like common sense to me until moving to Madison and experiencing the foot traffic associated with the university here.

J. LaMore is located slightly off of campus, which is directly on our route home every day. When classes are in session there are a plethora of students hastily going about their business, trying to get wherever they are going, fast. Most students believe (and it is our law) that when they are in the cross walk, vehicles must yield their right of way. Like I said, it is our law, but just because they are in the cross walk doesn't mean we see them. Not only are we paying attention to pedestrians, we are also navigating other vehicles, cyclists, and traffic lights. We want to stop for you, we just might not see you.


This brings me to a story I just read in the New York Post. Unfortunately a 16 year old girl, in New York visiting for the holiday's, was hit by a taxi cab while crossing the street. She was thrown 15 feet. While she has survived the accident, she suffered trauma to the brain and lungs and multiple skull, rib and pelvic fractures. It could take months before she's better. So incredibly sad.

I couldn't find anything more specific regarding how the accident happened. I have no idea if she was in a cross walk or not, and it really doesn't matter at this point. I can only hope and pray she will be OK. I've been to NY city numerous times and the traffic is unforgiving. I can't imagine how difficult it is to drive there, there's so much going on.

We all are pedestrians at some point or another. Let's make a plan to be respectful to ourselves and to drivers on the road. Look and listen before crossing the street. If a driver doesn't stop for you, don't assume it's because they didn't want to, perhaps they didn't see you.

Jennifer