PHOTO BY RUTH PANNILL | THE SIGNAL
Student Courtlyn Montgomery witnessed an individual being hit by a car after they had been jaywalking earlier this semester.
“I saw he was trying to walk really fast, and there were two cars coming. One of them made it but the other one had to hit brakes which caused a change of reaction,” she said.
Montgomery said the individual had not been hurt but there had been two vehicles involved.
Another student, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she witnessed a driver running over a curb near Aderhold and hitting a pedestrian. She said the incident took place a couple of weeks ago at 5 p.m.
“I was surprised to see ambulance arrived there within a minute. Police arrived few minutes after the ambulance,” she said.
She also said she did not receive any information about the victim but that he was taken to the hospital.
However Kiawana Wilborn, record office manager at Georgia State Police Department (GSU PD), said there have been no jaywalking accidents reported for 2014.
The Georgia State University Police Department Pedestrian Safety Traffic Team was formed spring 2002 to assist with pedestrian safety and traffic enforcement on campus, according to the GSU PD website.
Wilborn said there are no statistics about jaywalking incidents. However, GSU’s officers are on the streets to maintain pedestrian safety.
Freshman Luke Owen is among several students who said they have jaywalked in the presence of a cop.
“I jaywalked couple of times and a cop was there; I didn’t get written up,” he said.
Owen also said there is a potential danger of jaywalking but you weigh that risk every time you cross street.
Wilborn said Georgia State’s officers give citations to jaywalkers and law offenders. They have given three tickets to students so far this year.
“We had several complaints that our officers are too strict on jaywalkers. It depends on the situation and who is out there,” she said.
Some students said they have never saw police taking an action against jaywalkers but student Abeer Shakir said GSU PD cannot enforce laws against them.
“It’s a waste of time to stand there and not walk, even when there is no car coming towards that direction” she said.
Montgomery said jaywalkers make themselves victim to car drivers and risk their lives.
“Pedestrians do have a right on the street, but you have to understand its human vs. a car,” she said. “Watch out for yourself.”
Owens said he admits to jaywalking but only when the streets are empty. Owens also said student and pedestrian safety is an issue.
“I have never witnessed an accident but I can see how that will be a bad idea to have distractions while you are crossing street, especially here in downtown,” he said.
Owen also said that when students jaywalk, they do it on their own risk and should not be handed a citation.
Montgomery also said safety should be a top priority over trying to travel to another area quickly.
“Save yourself from getting hurt, in order to get somewhere on time,” she said.
