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Falcon’s Eye
Pfeiffer University http://media.pfeiffer.edu/falconseye/Nov12.pdf
November 2012
CAN YOU WALK THE (CROSS)WALK?
By Amanda McClure
When heading to class, especially one that is across the street, Pfeiffer students cannot help but notice the new pedestrian safety crossing that was put in place. The new signals are referred to as HAWKs, or “High Intensity Activated Crosswalk”. They were put up by the N.C. Department of Transportation as an added safety measure.
Picture By Marie Wood
“I don’t necessarily care for them but I guess I could see how they were placed to help. Sometimes vehicles don’t always slow down,” student Todd Facemyer said. The lights have six different intervals: dark until activated, flashing yellow, solid yellow, solid/steady red, flashing red during pedestrian clearance, and dark again until activated. The new rule states that before crossing you must push the button and wait for the walking man to appear before you start to cross. Crossing the street without pushing the button will cost you a citation, as senior Josh Roberts quickly found out. “It’s ridiculous to have a $50 fine for not pushing the button,” Roberts said. “I don’t think you should be fined for not pushing the button if there is no traffic coming. Also those lights are slow and confusing for drivers as well as pedestrians with all the
flashing lights.” Many students are furious about the change and don’t agree with it. They feel like it was an unnecessary addition. “It’s ridiculous they don’t trust students to walk across a highway at their own discretion,” commented one sophomore who wished to remain anonymous. Some students are frustrated that the only way to legally cross Highway 52 is to use the two designated crosswalks. “It takes me double the time to get to my classes that are across the street. I live in Washington and have to walk across the yard to get to the crosswalk so I can get to the other side,” student Kayla Lookabill complained. “It’s a safety issue to make sure people wouldn’t put themselves in harm’s way. We will be patrolling the area heavily, and citations will be issued if there is danger present,” Misenheimer Police Captain John Brady said.