New traffic safety plan for IU Bloomington's campus

IU Bloomington is recommending an extensive education campaign on traffic safety after several students were struck by vehicles on campus.

An IU Bloomington task force has produced a traffic safety plan they say will help improve vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle safety on campus.

Indiana University on any given day is bustling with students and traffic. It's also a campus where students said people take risk trying to cross the street.

"This year, more than most. It's been pretty bad," said IU Freshman Jordan Weyenberg.

Kurt Zorn is Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at IU Bloomington. Zorn also co-chairs an IU task force that's created a traffic safety plan to help people stay safe on campus.

"I've been here 29 years and I'd say its pretty darn safe. Although with the number of people in vehicles, occasionally you do have some accidents," said Zorn.

The safety recommendations come after several IU students were struck by vehicles on campus. One of those students died here while crossing Fee Lane. Zorn said this is just one of six areas recommended for new crosswalks.

The crosswalks would include clear signage for both pedestrians and drivers.

The safety recommendations also include an extensive education program, making changes at several bus stops and forming an advisory committee to work with the City of Bloomington.

The plan is getting mixed reviews from students.

"I think the crosswalks are a good idea. Most drivers are pretty good about slowing down if a lot of people need to get across, but just blow right through if there's a big group waiting to cross," Weyenberg said.

"I think that's one of the first steps probably, but I don't think its enough because people in cars don't seem to know there's a crosswalk," said IU Graduate Aleks Pratt.

This safety task force was created 4 weeks ago. IU Officials say they expect to start the extensive education program soon.