By Aubree DeVisser | Echo
People cross the street without looking both ways. Cars speed through stop signs. Disasters are constantly waiting to happen. Taylor University is a dangerous place, and those who walk the campus have no idea what they are getting into.
Some students enjoy nightly jogs around the loop, and with limited lighting and no reflective gear for Taylor drivers and locals to see them, the risks are high.
"I like to run at night, but that's dangerous, so my wingmate Elyse gave me a safety vest so people could see me," sophomore Maddy Prince said. "I always get nervous when there's no streetlights, so sometimes I use my flashlight on my phone."
More bikes populate campus than students, and they pose a threat to safety. Bikers who come wheeling by without any warning can cause panic and might even force a student off the sidewalk. The fact that Taylor does not enforce a helmet requirement might cause a problem; perhaps the university should require students to wear knee and elbow pads. Students should take a general education course about bicycle safety before using this form of transportation. Learning the proper way to be involved in the campus traffic should be mandatory before anyone steps on the pedals.
Next are the skateboarders, longboarders and pennyboarders. Whether they're behind you, beside you or in front of you, you're never quite sure what they'll do or where they'll carve their path. They could stop suddenly, run over your foot, knock you down or just lean to one side at the last second.
Those that travel by penny board on campus face dangers of their own. The uneven sidewalks contribute to the problem as well as the cracks that the small wheels fall victim to.
"It can be very dangerous. Often times if you get enough speed or hit the wrong crack, it's all downhill from there," junior Adam Houser said.
Many of the large potholes on campus swallow feet, leading to twisted ankles and broken legs. Not to mention the incredible toll the potholes take on the vehicles on campus.
Now, let's move on to yet another danger zone on campus: the DC during the noon hour. From approximately 11:57 a.m. to 12:17 p.m. and 5:39 p.m. to 6:19 p.m. it's like Walmart the morning of Valentine's day . . . except there's girls. People rush in doors from all places and crowds plunge down the staircases in a hurry to get into the lines. From finding the food you want to getting a glass of milk, you have to dodge, duck and sidestep countless hungry students.
"Yesterday, I ran into eight people when I was getting food, and I got the 'you're annoying' glare seven times," a sophomore from Fourth South Olson said.
Also, stairs. Specifically Euler's.
"I fell up the spiral stairs in Euler," freshman Makenzie Williams said. "Those stairs really need some padding because I really bruised my knees."
Unfortunately, these seemingly simple daily behaviors can have costly effects. The dangers that lie waiting for each individual on this campus are everywhere, and you can never be too safe. Wear your helmets, stay away from large cracks in the sidewalk and live life on the safe side.
