The Online Reflector

Warnings issued by University of Indianapolis campus police prompted rumors of fines over the weekend of Sept. 8. But according to Interim Chief of  Police Sgt. Hailey Padgett-Riley, that is not true.

“Honestly, we haven’t issued any citations—nothing that’s a fine—according to our stats and our officers’ stats,”  Padgett-Riley said.

Campus police have, however, issued 56 written warnings and about 30 verbal warnings, according to Padgett-Riley. Complaints from motorists about pedestrians crossing out of turn at traffic signals motivated campus police to issue warnings. She said that before the traffic lights were installed and there were only crosswalks, it was not an issue, but now if pedestrians do not wait for the walk signals they are breaking the law.

“We’re getting compliance with the warnings, so that’s why no fines have really been issued,” Padgett-Riley said.

The warnings started in May, right after graduation, mostly at the stoplight by Nicoson Hall, but recently have increased to remind pedestrians at the start of the school year, according to Padgett-Riley. She said that this is important, not only because it is the law, but to keep everyone on campus safe.

“When the motorists have the green light, it honestly is the motorists’ right of way, and it is not a pedestrian right of way at that point. So, basically it’s just awareness for safety,” Padgett-Riley said. “We don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Kory Vitangeli said that everyone needs to know and follow the rules so that students, faculty and staff do not get injured.

“We don’t want anyone to get hit by a car, so it’s really a campus safety issue,” Vitangeli said. “All of us together help make UIndy safe.”

Both Padgett-Riley and Vitangeli said that the best way to stay safe while crossing is to simply wait for the signal.

“You have to press the button and that will signal it [the signal] to be able to let you walk across. And when you do have the walk signal it is your right of way,” Padgett-Riley said. “You are able to cross, and that means that the traffic has a red light and if you have the ‘don’t walk ’ and you walk anyway, you’re in violation according to our IC Code, Indiana State code.”

The misconceptions about right of way do not stop there, according to Padgett-Riley. Pedestrians are not supposed to enter the roadway if there are vehicles approaching and it will cause immediate danger, under Indiana Code 9-21-17, Section 5. However, once in the road pedestrians have the right of way to cross.

“The law states that once you’re in the middle of the roadway—that you’ve already taken action to cross the street—to oncoming traffic you do have the right of way. But if oncoming traffic is coming and you step out in front of them, you don’t have the right of way,” Padgett-Riley said. “So basically it’s like saying, you have the right to make it safely to the other end of the street, but not to walk in front of cars.”

Problem spots still remain, such as on Shelby St. in front of the Music Annex, where pedestrians regularly cross. Both Padgett-Riley and Vitangeli said that students always need to obey the traffic laws.

“Technically, if there’s not a crosswalk, you need to go to the light,” Vitangeli said.

Although she said the university  requested that the city install a new crosswalk, so that pedestrians could cross directly to the Music Annex, nothing can be done without the city’s approval.

“It’s not like we can put in crosswalks, because it’s not our property to do so,” Vitangeli said.

The other problem spot is the intersection at Otterbein and Hanna Avenues,  where Padgett-Riley said campus police soon will be issuing more warnings. However, she said that the actions taken by campus police have definitely encouraged adherence to traffic rules.

“From our issuing warnings, we’ve been seeing compliance from the students, so we’re happy about that,” Padgett-Riley said. “It seems to be working, and students are more aware and paying attention.”