BETHANY PILLOW | staff writer
Back-to-school day traffic incidents on Citrus and Foothill raised safety concerns for students traveling between campuses.
An APU student was hit in the Citrus crosswalk by University Drive on Jan. 12 at 12:50 p.m. while walking to campus.
The student reportedly pressed the crosswalk button and waited for traffic to clear before stepping off the curb. The driver of the vehicle in the right hand lane had stopped and waved the student past, where she was hit by a vehicle in the next lane.
“The white car came up pretty speedily,” junior Jannette Fragoso said, who was preparing to cross from the other side when the accident occurred.
From where she stood, the driver seemed oblivious to the approaching pedestrian, and failed to respond to the flashing crosswalk lights and proceeded through the crosswalk at normal speed.
The pedestrian was knocked to the ground in the collision, dazed but never losing consciousness as bystanders rushed to her aid.
Students on either side of the street used their cell phones to call 911 as well as Campus Safety. Several stayed with the injured party and attempted to keep her calm until help arrived. Others returned her scattered belongings, which had been strewn up the street by the impact.
Azusa Police Department arrived within minutes to direct traffic around the area and ensure the safety of those involved. Campus Safety also responded directly and made a report of the incident after seeing to the needs of the injured student.
An ambulance was called to assess the condition of the student, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries including a moderate soft tissue injury to the left arm. She was transported to the hospital where she was treated and released later that day.
The driver of the vehicle returned to the scene upon realizing what had happened and was admitted to be at fault for the collision. Campus Safety cited the driver’s general negligence and inattentiveness to crosswalk signals and to traffic in general as the cause of what it deemed a preventable incident.
Less than five minutes after this incident took place, Campus Safety was notified of another collision on West campus, this time involving a Citrus student. A vehicle pulling out of Centennial Drive onto Foothill collided with a second vehicle. No pedestrians were involved in this second incident, and again, only non-life-threatening injuries were sustained by either party.
These incidents, both taking place the first day of spring semester classes, raise concern about student safety in the crosswalks and driveways around campus. Campus Safety Lieutenant Terry Meyer recognizes the hazards presented by the amount of foot traffic between the student living areas and the two campuses, especially at the Citrus and University Drive crossing.
“That’s a dangerous area for students,” Meyer said. “Any stop walk is dangerous, but that one in particular because of the hundreds of students you have crossing every day. It’s the most heavily used crosswalk in the area.”
As such, the Citrus crossing is receiving special attention from city officials who, in collaboration with Azusa PD and APU’s Office of Student Life, are working to determine what additional safety measures might be taken. Possibilities include the installation of a pedestrian bridge in place of the crossing, or the addition of a signal, which would help regulate traffic flow and improve safety conditions for motorists and pedestrians alike.
These potential safety measures would come in addition to those that are already being put into effect at the intersection of Foothill and Citrus. According to Director of Community Relations Ginny Dadaian, the university has been working with its neighbors and city officials to discuss complete renovations for the intersection which will increase safety and convenience for APU and Citrus students as well as local residents.
“We want to cause as little intrusion as possible for our neighbors,” Dadaian said.
Plans include the addition of left turn signals in each direction to eliminate the burden on motorists, who currently wait up to three light cycles to turn at the busiest times of day. A long-anticipated bike lane will also be installed on the north part of Foothill Blvd.
The cities of Azusa and Glendora approved the final project, which APU with partner in funding, in late December and preliminary work has already begun. Major construction is scheduled for mid to late June when both schools will be out.
In addition to working with the city, Campus Safety is in the process of putting together educational videos, pamphlets and educational materials to help alert students to traffic safety procedures and emphasize the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings. It is their belief that, while city safety measures can help a great deal, nothing can make a greater difference than the use of good judgment.
“Ultimately,” Meyer said, “it is the responsibility of drivers and students, especially students, to make sure it is safe when they cross.”
When questioned about the need for such measures and the overall safety of the area, he explained that these changes are not so much a response to present dangers as a result of careful planning and looking ahead. There is a need to accommodate growing student populations, which have reached an all-time high.
“Student safety is paramount here,” Meyer said. “As the campus grows, we have to grow with it.”
While these incidents are not exactly an auspicious start to the new year, neither should they be the cause of undue alarm. Rather, they draw the timely attention of officials, motorists, and pedestrians alike to the issues of traffic safety, and how their actions out on the road affect the safety of others as well as their own.
