A Countdown to Safety

The Crimson lauds the recent addition of countdown crossing signals to Harvard Square. These signals, which are currently pending approval from the Federal Highway Administration, have been widely supported by public safety committees across the country. Countdown signals keep pedestrians from taking risky ventures into the street when lights are about to change, and we are encouraged by the city's decision to widely implement them by the spring. Yet while these new signals are a great start to the project of improving pedestrian safety, they are not a sufficient solution to the many dangers of the Harvard Square area. Further, more elaborate safety measures need to be taken to protect the pedestrians of Cambridge.

Harvard Square is heavily traveled by foot, especially by students, and these pedestrians need to be provided with safe crossing options. However, the current traffic system of Cambridge creates a dangerous situation. While jaywalking students create their own problems, law-abiding pedestrians, particularly during rush hours, are forced to walk in front of cars and hope that they are seen.

In theory, crosswalks are supposed to allow for safe street crossings. But many, such as those on Mount Auburn Street, are placed in locations where cars are moving at such great speeds that they may not be able to stop abruptly for a pedestrian, let alone a pedestrian who walks into a crosswalk from behind a van. The Massachusetts Avenue crosswalk in front of the Harvard Bookstore is directly after a 90-degree curve, where neither speeding cars nor talking pedestrians can see each other. This situation is not safe for anyone.

Moreover, as a university area and popular tourist destination, Cambridge will always have a large population of drivers foreign to the city. These drivers cannot be expected to see and stop for the poorly-marked crosswalks that pedestrians assume are obvious.

As a starting measure, "Yield to Pedestrians" signs, such as the sign in the Garden Street Sheraton Commander Hotel crosswalk, are necessary in all of Cambridge's crosswalks. These highly effective signs are relatively cheap from the city's point of view, and create a safer traffic situation for everyone involved. Additionally, more clearly marked stop signs, traffic lights and count-down walk signs are needed in the Square to protect the pedestrians and drivers of Cambridge. By taking these steps the city will create a more secure traffic environment for all.