Charleston isn’t a city like Chicago by any means. We don’t have tall skyscrapers, a sandy beach, shopping like along the Magnificent Mile, and the traffic isn’t anywhere near as bad. However, we do have a few streets in town that see heavy traffic, both cars and pedestrians.

Fourth Street by Stevenson and Coleman halls is one location the university and the city identified as a higher traffic spot. Last spring, the city, prompted by a suggestion from the Student Government, installed two flashing yellow lights by the crosswalks with the idea that the lights would make it easier for people crossing the street.

From the beginning, I’ve been kind of dubious of this idea. What good does a flashing yellow light do? Cars stop at stoplights and stop signs because it’s a rule. They can get in trouble if they do not stop. Yellow means slow down, not stop.

One day I was waiting to cross Fourth Street at one of its busier moments. A never-ending stream of cars keep driving by, not caring that I was waiting on the side of the road for my chance to get across. And then I saw my chance – or at least what I thought would be my chance. An Eastern Illinois University police car was coming down the road, and I thought for sure the police officer would stop and let me cross. But did he? No, he drove right on past like every other car, and since the police car did not stop I was stuck waiting for another car from the other direction before I could go.

Lt. Feris Sweet of the University Police Department said he thinks the flashing light should be of help because it draws attention. Student Body President Hugh O’Hara said he hears people say they think the lights are helpful and he hears drivers complaining of having to slow down.

“If people are complaining that they have to slow down, then it must be working,” O’Hara said.

Maybe, maybe not.

O’Hara said cars are supposed to stop for people in the road and slow down for those on the side.

According to Sweet, state law says a yellow light is a caution light, and Sweet said any vehicle should stop if people are in the crosswalk.

However, no one is required to stop for the students trying to cross the street, including a police car. Sweet said unless an emergency situation exists, police cars must obey the same laws as ordinary drivers, and no one stops for a yellow light.

So, I guess I really cannot be upset that cars continue to drive on by while I stand, looking for the time to make my move. But for some reason, it just really irritated me that a police officer did not stop. Although they only have to obey the same laws as everyone else, wouldn’t it be the “right” thing to do to set an example?

I know people driving have a place to go, and they just want to get there. But so do pedestrians.

Drivers are also pedestrians. Pedestrians always want cars to stop for them, but when those pedestrians become the drivers, they want the people walking to get out of their way.

Originally, the Student Government wanted a stop sign where the flashing lights are, but compromised for the flashing lights. Pedestrians and drivers also need a compromise. Pedestrians need to be patient and realize they will have to wait sometimes for cars to pass, but drivers also need to be courteous and let the walkers

cross the street.

The city and the Student Government put up the flashing lights to try to help the students. Whether it works is up to everyone around campus.