"All right. I'm goin' in."
"Good luck, Chris. I know you'll make it."
"GO! GO! GO!"
And with that, the bold young man, barely 19 or 20, gives a final wave to his buddies and launches himself into the unknown, gripping his knapsack. Sounds like a good World War II movie -- or just another Wahoo crossing the street.
It's time we own up to the inherent dangers in our lifestyle. Mr. Jefferson's University may be ranked highly among peer institutions for academics and student life, but we're getting killed in "traffic safety" right now, and if we want to compete at the most elite levels of higher education, we've got to start looking before we leap.
Granted, Charlottesville is a pedestrian-friendly environment. On the whole, the drivers around here are conscientious and looking out for their fellow man. And like most other college students, we walk to most every place we need to go in a typical day, which means crossing a lot of streets, and we need to get where we're going right-bleeping-now and if we have to take some risks, so be it. That problem set won't turn itself in.
Plus, no one likes to get in that situation where we stop to let the car at the intersection go by, only to have the car stop and wave us along. Then our pride asserts itself and we wave the car along. Then the car waves us along. And at this point, those of us from urban locales are wishing that the driver would just give us the finger and drive away already, because all this courtesy is absolutely smothering us, and we're getting kind of uncomfortable.
So usually we scamper, or dash or perhaps mosey across the street as soon as a halfway decent opportunity presents itself. And, more likely than not, there are no problems, and we get a simply marvelous little thrill out of the whole thing, and all is right with the world.
This is not without its drawbacks. Motor traffic along McCormick Road is anything but smooth as a result: buses screech to a halt several times between stops as the drivers accommodate ambitious daredevils wondering whether today is indeed a good day to die. And buses have an even worse time passing through the barrier between Newcomb and the amphitheater, as pedestrian after pedestrian thinks to himself, "Yeah, sooner or later somebody's got to stop and let it through BUT IT'S NOT MY TURN TODAY," and so on and so forth until roughly an hour after the bus originally stopped. But the problem plagues all cars.
If college is supposed to be preparation for the real world, this is cause for grave concern, because out there in the rat race, not all drivers have happy braking feet. Many, in fact, have Super Quick Uncontrollable Accelerators of Serious Hurting (work the acronym out and you'll see what I mean.) Keeping up this particular college habit could get us flattened like pancakes. Pancakes that graduated with the honors of Honor, but pancakes nonetheless. I'd love to be a guest star on "Law & Order," but not a guest star of the non-moving sort, if you get my drift.
How can we fix things? It may be a cliché, but your mother was right: looking both ways is definitely a good idea. Using the crosswalks, even though such practice may mark you as an "establishment" loser, is also the way to go. If these don't grab you, at least try to join a mob or get one together; it vastly improves your chances of survival (make sure you're ready for the inevitable nose game so you don't end up as the person on the outside).
But if you've got to take that risk, there's no arguing with it. After all, most people end up needing to cut across at least a couple times in their lives. My advice: Do it quickly, take the straightest path you can and keep your eyes open. And stick around for fall 2006 when this column makes its triumphant return.
Matt's column runs bi-weekly on Fridays. He can be reached at mwaring@cavalierdaily.com.
Read More
Queer Student Union showcases strength and spreads love
By Rosie Strickland | 16 hours agoThis summer, QSU members say that the organization’s efforts to support the University’s Queer community extend far beyond the 30 days of June.
‘Don’t get too comfortable’: Words of wisdom for the incoming class
By Kate Johnson | 3 days agoThese fourth-year students offer their reflections on their first year at the University.
Navigating the University from near and far
By Amanda Chung , Mai Hukuoka and Dana Douglas | 5 days agoAs the 2025-26 school year inches closer, three Life writers came together to discuss their different perspectives as in-state and out-of-state students.
