Getting to class can be like playing a game of Frogger, someUniversity of Memphis students say.
"I'm a pedestrian, and if (drivers) have braking space, I'mgoing to take it," said William T. Conner IV, fashion merchandisingand marketing management major. "I do all of that because I'mprobably running late, or I have places to be."
Although jaywalking has become a part of life for studentscommuting to The U of M, University Police Services officials saidit's also a good way to cause an accident.
"Things such as crossing the road without really looking fortraffic or dodging cars in traffic lanes, talking on cell phones(both drivers and pedestrians) and any number of other distractionslead to both parties not seeing the other until it is too late,"said Derek Myers, associate director of Police Services.
In past incidents of pedestrians being hit by cars, both partieshave been to blame, Myers said.
Although jaywalking is the primary cause of pedestrian/motorvehicle accidents in Memphis, according to the Memphis PoliceDepartment Web site, some students said enforcing laws thatprohibit jaywalking wouldn't solve the problems.
"I don't think there is really anything you can do to fix it,"said Beth Roth, anthropology and criminal justice major.
Accounting major Sherita Jones said forcing students to use thecrosswalk would require U of M police officers to baby-sitadults.
"Speeding cars are everywhere, and we're all too old for acrossing guard," Jones said, adding that finding a solutionwouldn't be easy.
Jones suggested The University build a bridge over Central sostudents could cross without fear of being hit by a car.
German major Melissa Tillilie said cheaper rates in the campusparking garages would help make jaywalking across busy streets lessof a necessity.
"The way things are right now, there is really no choice but tojaywalk," Tillilie said.
Tillilie, who said she's nearly been hit several times byspeeding cars near campus, also said she has been on the other sideof a near miss with a jaywalker.
"I won't lie," she said. "I speed, and I have almost hitpeople."
In response to the jaywalking and speeding problems on streetslike Central and Southern, U of M Police Services officers willstart cracking down on traffic scofflaws.
Myers said The U of M police officers do not currently givetickets, but they do stop people driving recklessly.
Police Services will soon begin issuing city summons tojaywalkers and speeders as part of its mutual assistance agreementwith the City of Memphis.
Architect major Nick Pirani said those who skirt minor trafficlaws should be allowed to do so.
"It is just too time consuming not to jaywalk," Pirani said.
