Thanks to the Target Red and Distracted Driving grants, the WVU Police Department has received two grants to help ensure both pedestrians and drivers are staying safe on our Morgantown campus.
UPD will increase patrols across campus throughout the month of September and officers will monitor high-traffic areas across our three areas of campus, especially where pedestrian and driver safety are a concern.
“With every new semester, we’re always glad to have students back on campus. But with that, we know we need to take extra steps to ensure both pedestrians and drivers are doing the right things to keep all Mountaineers safe on our campus,” said W.P. Chedester, chief of UPD. “These grants allow us to set the foundation and remind students to take the proper safety measures when walking and driving.”
In addition to an increased presence, UPD will also enforce traffic violations in these areas when necessary.
As a reminder, we ask pedestrians to remember these safety tips when walking around campus and in Morgantown:
Cross at marked crosswalks and intersections, and obey the signals.
Be alert for moving vehicles and bicycles.
Stay to the right and avoid walking in bike lanes.
When there are no sidewalks, jog or walk facing traffic.
Make eye contact with oncoming drivers and show your intention to cross.
Don’t forget to look up from your phone.
When walking at night, wear bright colors and stay in well-lit areas.
Don’t step into traffic from behind an obstruction.
Turn down the volume of your phone.
Head up, phone down: hang up while walking.
Don’t wear headphones or talk on the phone while crossing a street.
Don’t walk and text.
Never rely on a car to stop; expect it won’t.
We also ask those who drive through campus to stay alert for pedestrians and follow these tips:
Stay alert for pedestrians.
Slow down during bad weather.
Be extra cautious at night – pedestrians can be hard to see.
Always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
Do not pass vehicles stopped in a crosswalk.
Never drive under the influence.
Obey all traffic lights and signals. Running a red light is never worth the risk.
Reduce your speed for yellow traffic lights.
Never text and drive.
Don’t wear earbuds while driving.
For more information on staying safe and taking care of yourself at WVU, visit the Safety and Wellness website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.