We have all seen it, someone steps out onto Jordan road without looking and throws off the course of traffic. Whether we have done it ourselves, watched other pedestrians do it, or been the person to stab our breaks, we have all seen it. The problem is obvious students here at Behrend have become too comfortable with Jordan road, and we have forgotten just how rude it is to ignore our surroundings.

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From my first official experience at Behrend on my university tour, I was warned to watch for traffic because there was no cross walk and I was “on my own”. So if the warnings are obvious and presented to most new student, why are there still people stepping out onto the road at inappropriate times? Well one obvious but distressing reason is that they have their noses in their phones and aren’t paying attention to their surroundings, the second I am afraid to say is that people have lost respect for road etiquette. As students we forget that Jordan road is not strictly a Behrend affiliated road but rather a public road. There are many vehicles that pass through that have no business with the school, every day locals on their way to work. It is true as Behrend has grown over the past few years, locals have used the road less and less for their commutes but even so the carelessness of crossing the road that students have shown is hazardous and needs to be addressed.

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I myself have hit my breaks countless times for students who crossed the road without looking both ways; only to hear my brakes and turn toward me with a deer in the headlights look, or worse not look up at all. I fear for my fellow students and my local community, because not only does the situation put students in danger but it also puts the local community in a frustrating situation. Locals on their way to work don’t want to make their commute while having to worry about oblivious students stepping out in front of them, just the same as any commuter students traveling Jordan road. I fear that in the months to come this problem could escalate and become an even bigger problem.

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With events such as the Career fair which will be occurring within the week Behrend should prepare for overcrowding and heavy traffic due to the closed lots around school, with this heavy traffic comes the worry of student safety. All it takes is one student who is not paying attention to cause a drastic problem for the Behrend community.  

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Events aren’t the only reason to be concerned with this recurring problem. In the next months, winter will set in. With the top of the hill by the Burke building being the most common place to see students crossing the road at inopportune times the winter months are very concerning. Winter brings snow and ice, which mean dangerous driving conditions and students who don’t want to wait to cross the road. An icy road can lead to delayed break times which in turn could lead to an accident. I encourage all of my fellow students be respectful look up, be aware, and be patient.