'Watch for Red Wolves' Crosswalk Safety Event Planned for March 15
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University is partnering with Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the A-State Student Government Association and University Police on a crosswalk safety awareness event on Wednesday, March 15.
Volunteers from the SGA and A-State employees will be at two major crosswalks during the morning class changes to urge drivers to “Watch for Red Wolves.”
“The ACH Injury Prevention Center is committed to increasing safe interactions and improving relationships between motorists and cyclists,” said Derek Hancock, bike and pedestrian program specialist for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. “We hope to bridge the existing education gaps on bicycling safely and driving in the presence of cyclists. Initiatives like this Watch for Red Wolves event help us raise awareness of these issues and keep the university community safe.”
The intersection of Marion Berry Parkway and the multiple crosswalks in the campus core at Aggie Circle are the campaign’s focus.
“At Arkansas State, our UPD and safety staffs work each fall during Safety Week to emphasize crosswalks, and we welcome the additional support from Arkansas Children’s to create a spring semester event to raise awareness,” Chief Communications Officer Bill Smith said. “And to have the partnership from our Student Government Association is extremely important.”
“The Student Government Association serves as the voice of students and supports them in many ways, from academics to resources on campus, we truly cover every aspect of the student experience,” Colten Sedman, SGA chief of staff, said. “For our current senate and staff, we take student safety very seriously which is why we are thrilled to be partnering with Arkansas Children's to advocate and promote safety for pedestrians and cyclists in our campus community."
State of Arkansas law requires vehicles to yield for pedestrians in a marked or implied crosswalk. Recent state law additions add bicycle riders to the yield protections.
Crosswalk crashes have been in the news recently in the Jonesboro area, and the timing of the event helps elevate awareness for drivers who go through the A-State campus.
