Look Both Ways – And Use the Crosswalk

The 9^th annual Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day will be held in Fayetteville and on the University of Arkansas campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 10.

At the U of A the Associated Student Government has organized volunteers from several campus groups to monitor crosswalks and carry bright yellow and red “Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day signs. Facilities Management workers will monitor the crosswalk near their building on Razorback Road. University of Arkansas Police will be patrolling the various crosswalks all day as well, and ticketing violators.

The purpose of the day-long event is to make remind drivers that the law requires them to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, to remind pedestrians to use crosswalks when crossing busy streets, but to keep an eye on traffic when they do -- and to help make both groups more aware of each other.

Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day was started in Fayetteville by community activist Paula Marinoni, and adopted as a statewide event.  Governor Mike Beebe has proclaimed Oct. 10 as “Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day across the State of Arkansas” and said, “I urge my fellow citizens in schools, homes, and offices to discuss crosswalk safety because increasing awareness for safety is positive prevention.” 

Marinoni said ten years ago in was common to see drivers not stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.  

“Now, that rarely happens and people have learned to make eye contact and acknowledge that you see the pedestrian and the pedestrian will wave back, thank you!”

Similar crosswalk activities will be going on at all school crossings and other crosswalks in Fayetteville and in towns and cities across the state.