October is Crosswalk Safety Awareness month here in Fayetteville, so we wanted to give you some important tips and reminders as you’re using the crosswalks around campus and the city.

  • Only cross the street in marked crosswalks on campus.
  • Make sure to avoid texting while crossing the street.
  • Look up and both ways before crossing the street.
  • Bikes and skateboards should be walked through the crosswalks.
  • Drivers: Come to a complete stop when pedestrians are in the crosswalk.

Also, be on the lookout for faculty, staff and University Police (UAPD) Wednesday, Oct. 11 as they promote the 14th Annual Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day on campus.

This event was founded in Fayetteville and is recognized by the governor as it tries to remind motorists and pedestrians to look and exercise caution as they utilize crosswalks.

Paula Marinoni, founder and event coordinator of Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day, created this event when she moved back to Fayetteville and witnessed how hazardous the crosswalks were.

“Back then I was horrified that a pedestrian was killed at least once a year and sometimes two in a year.  It was clear that something needed to be done, but what,” said Marinoni.

She graduated from the Fayetteville Citizens Fire Academy and began the process of making Crosswalk Safety Awareness Day an actual event.

With the help of community sponsors and her determination, this event came to life and has been happening annually ever since.