USM Crosswalk Accidents Spark Safety Calls
By Kennedi Drake
Four University of Southern Mississippi students have been struck by vehicles at the same crosswalk since last spring, raising concerns about pedestrian safety near the Hattiesburg campus.
During the second week of fall semester classes, two students were hit last week at the West Fourth Street crosswalk near the residence halls connecting Century Park North and South. The incidents come after two other students were struck at the same location during the spring semester.
USM Police Chief Rusty Keyes said both of the recent cases involved a pattern involving the driver.
“The last two have been attention issues on the drivers’ part,” Keyes said. “That’s why I tell students to continue looking as they cross the crosswalk — you’ve got to look both ways.”
Dean of Students Sirena Cantrell said education is part of the university’s approach, noting that first-year students are being taught about crosswalk safety in UNV 100 courses.
Dean Cantrell says she plans to work on more educational opportunities for students to learn the best ways to maintain safety at crosswalks.
University police have increased enforcement at the site; UPD issues tickets for speeding or failing to yield. Chief Keyes said long-term solutions will require working with the City of Hattiesburg.
Chief Keyes said there's several things the university can do but they have to be cautious of what they can add to a city street. Keyes said there’s processes and procedures we’ve got to go through.
“It’s not as simple as adding a speed bump or adding a stop sign,” said Keyes. “We’re working on ways to slow the driver down, but for now we need students and university officials to work together.”
Chief Keyes says ways students can help is yelling out to another student that’s crossing if they notice a car is not stopping as well as looking both ways.
Some students are pushing for more immediate changes. A petition calling for speed bumps and additional lights at the crosswalk has gathered more than 200 signatures.
Kaden Burkhalter started the petition on Change.org.
“I started the petition because a lot of my friends and I have been worried crossing this crosswalk,” said Burkhalter. “The amount of people that have been hit this year while crossing a crosswalk is more than at my hometown so I can’t imagine how scary that is for them and everyone that knows them.”
Burkhalter said his roommate and several of his friends have also almost been hit.
Kaylee Martinez, a USM student, said she believes the city should step in.
“The police are here, but they aren’t always here,” Martinez said. “I think USM has done what they can and it’s really just the city now.”
University officials said they plan to continue offering safety education and working with local leaders to explore infrastructure improvements. In the meantime, they are urging students to take extra precautions when crossing busy streets.
