By Edita Bardhi
Opinion Editor
As a young adult, you are probably familiar with the phrase “drive safely.”
You may have said it to a loved one, a friend or a stranger.
If not, it may have been them who said it to you. Either way, it is certainly one to take seriously.
Even so, “drive safely” should not be the only phrase you focus on.
The expression, “walk safely,” deserves your attention too.
Initially, walking is an act in which you cannot escape from.
Whether you only walk for a few seconds, a few minutes, a few hours or days at a time, it is the primary way to getting from point A to point B.
In fact, college campuses are a location where you are most likely to walk than to drive.
Considerably, you would not drive a car from one school building to the next if you were capable of walking to it.
Other times, it may just be easier to walk around the area rather than trying to get your car across it.
In both scenarios, you would encounter the need to walk, and you will want to do it safely.
Would you want to be hit or tripped over while on your way to buying your favorite drink?
How could you fully enjoy the drink then?
Moreover, college campuses can be packed.
Students are walking. Faculty members are crossing the streets. Cars are passing by. Trucks are loading and unloading.
These can result in you getting hurt.
Therefore, it is essential that you are aware of your surroundings while walking.
Likewise, the evening is most dangerous.
Often, college students choose to take walks in the evening without keeping this into consideration.
They believe that no one else will be outside, it is night.
However, they will.
Drivers can always be found cruising around the roads. Faculty members may be wheeling carts. And don’t forget about your peers. They like to walk around just as much as you do.
The Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual states, “At night, it is hardest to see pedestrians.”
Furthermore, incidents while walking may not always be an accident.
Originally, everyone has emotions that can lead them to misbehaviors.
However, certain people are clearly aware of their disobedience.
They enjoy making others feel bad for whatever reason.
A clear example of this is last Thursday’s Assault and Robbery.
On Friday morning, we all received an ESU Warrior Note about this.
The student reported of two men attacking him as he walked back from Koehler Fieldhouse.
This incident occurred at 11 p.m. (For more information on this, please read your email).
Overall, walking outside can be a dangerous thing, day or night.
For this, I advise you to ask a friend to come with you always.
Even then, be careful until you have fully arrived.
Email Edita at:
ebardhi@live.esu.edu