SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – The simple task of crossing a road is an important aspect of growing up, taught and learnt by parents and children alike. A line told to children is to look both ways before any action of trying to cross begins. Though this mantra has been repeated frequently and passed on to generations, it is often not practiced.
One of the reasons for this is distractions that are often in the hands of children. When the walking signal instructs pedestrians to cross, oftentimes, there is a subconscious nature that makes people believe the world shuts off for them. However, this is far from the truth.
At Syracuse University, there are several cross-sections where cars and buses often wait for students to cross, even when the students break the law or not paying attention. The phone is one of the biggest distractions, as it keeps them occupied with what’s happening around them.
For three Syracuse University students, coupled with this aspect, there is another thing that makes children take their eyes off their surroundings when crossing the road. They mention that being in a rush to get to class or having an important test is a valid reason why they believe they are, at times, guilty of not being keen on the road. Freshman Isabella Ierano says that college students believe that because it is an environment filtered with students, drivers will stop for them.
”College students kind of assume cars will stop for them because they are so used to kids being around,” she said.
This brand of thinking reiterates the point that people shouldn’t automatically believe or trust that vehicles will stop because the light instructs them to do so. As graduate student Kwadwo Osei-Poku mentions, being on the lookout and observant is an imaginary safety vest that will serve every individual in the long run.
“Watch the street, left and right, walk with purpose, walk like you know where you’re going and what you’re doing, so then you reduce the risk of any accidents or possibly you getting hurt or dying as a result of you being careless or someone else’s carelessness,” he said.
With young people, there is always the belief and the adage of feeling invincible through sheer youthfulness. This may be a reason why students act impulsively without thinking of the dangers that it puts them in. Junior Jenna Parisi says the feeling of being immune to danger is prevalent throughout young generations.
“Almost a lot of us think we’re indestructible and we can do whatever we want, but that’s not the case, so we should just always be careful when walking across the street.”
It is important to be entirely aware of any given surroundings. The traffic lights exist as a form of control that creates order for the street. There is no guarantee that all drivers will adhere to them. Therefore, travelling back to the lesson of our parents to look both ways and one more right before crossing and paying full attention until we reach the other side of the divide is valuable to the safety of all parties.
