Large black and yellow pedestrian crosswalk enforcement signs have appeared on campus warning drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.  Until we figure out ways to separate cars from pedestrians, however, I’d like to suggest that some motor vehicle road enforcement signs could also be helpful.

Pedestrians have to realize that walkers and drivers are, for now, sharing the same physical space.

Allow me to offer two examples of pedestrians in need of some enforcement.

Recently, I was a passenger in a car of a colleague who made the mistake of heading through campus on Cameron Street at around noon.  A torrent of students flowed in both directions across the street.  When a natural break started to occur, students whose eyes were not glued to text messages on their phones, hurried to fill the gap.  As if allowing cars to pass would violate some fundamental life force.  After five minutes, with cars backing up and no end in sight to the stampeding herd, I leapt from the car, entered the crosswalk, and like Moses ordered the sea of pedestrians to part, waved through a dozen cars, and then scurried to rejoin my friend who had pulled over in front of Memorial Hall.

What’s so hard about realizing that cars are sharing the space on Cameron?

On Columbia St, University gardeners have beautifully landscaped the area in front of the schools of Pharmacy and Public Health.  There are two crosswalks with signals controlled by pedestrians to stop cars.  One connects the School of Nursing to the School of Pharmacy.  About 200 steps further south along Columbia, a second leads from the School of Public Health to the health sciences library.  Instead of using either of these convenient and safe crosswalks, many pedestrians have trampled the greenery in front of the School of Pharmacy.

The other day, I actually watched a white-haired, white-coated professorial type climb over the retaining chain there for safety, trample some helpless shrubs, and head across the street.

Maybe some day we’ll have domains just for people and others just for cars.  But, until we do, we have to learn to live with each other.  Responsibility is, excuse the expression, a two-way street.  It’s good for health and good for the environment for pedestrians to recognize and respect the reality of cars.

 

— Lew Margolis

 

Have a comment or opinion you would like to share? Submit your commentary or column for the Commentators, on WCHL 97.9FM and Chapelboro.com.

Related Stories
‹
UNC School of Social Work Prepares for New Undergraduate Degree Program
The UNC School of Social Work earned approval to add an undergraduate major for social work this summer, setting up its launch in Fall 2027.
UNC Readies for Demolition of Jackson Hall; Construction Zone Created Around Site
As UNC students returned to campus this week for the new academic year, those around the Cobb Community saw a change of scenery. The university has begun demolition preparations around Jackson Hall, the former admissions building, and the nearby Cobb recreation courts. UNC Facilities Services alerted the campus community at the end of July that […]
Paused Degrees, Strong Fundraising, and An Arts District: Highlights of the July 2026 UNC Board of Trustees Meeting
Returning from an extended summer break — which saw board members skip a regular meeting in May — the UNC Board of Trustees and university leadership met this week for updates ahead of a new academic year.
UNC Police Issue 'All Clear' After Bomb Threat, Investigation at Kenan Stadium
UNC Police are responding to a safety threat at Kenan Stadium on Thursday afternoon, according to an alert shared with the campus community.
Past Rhymes With Present Times: Trumpism, Universities, and the Death of Socrates
Contemporary Trumpism attacks diverse social, political, and cultural communities throughout the United States, but the attacks share a common desire to discredit and weaken public institutions.
Carolina Performing Arts Unveils Multi-Day Performance Festival for 'Campus and Downtown'
The Carolina Performing Arts festival, called “All. Together. Now.”, is set to debut Feb. 18-21, 2027 and take place every year.
UNC Selects Familiar Master Plan Designer for Carolina North Campus
Trustees approved Ayers Saint Gross, a Maryland-based master plan design company, to lead the design of the future UNC campus expansion.
Start Time, Parking and How to Stream: What to Know About UNC's 2026 Spring Commencement
UNC will celebrate its Spring Commencement on campus this weekend, bringing thousands of graduates and their families to Chapel Hill. Here’s everything you need to know about the ceremonies: Commencement Ceremony The main UNC commencement ceremony will be held Saturday, May 9 at 7 p.m. in Kenan Stadium. Graduates are asked to arrive in the […]
A Place to Connect and Heal: UNC Holds Annual Community Walk for Suicide Prevention
On Saturday, community members and college students alike met on UNC’s campus for a mile-long walk to destigmatize suicide prevention.
Photo Gallery: Savannah Bananas and Banana Ball Take Over Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill
The Savannah Bananas visited the UNC campus and played a pair of "Banana Ball" games in front of thousands of fans over the weekend.
›