OUR VIEW: Dark 800 East could cause safety problems

Walking out of the Taggart Student Center late at night, people are greeted with the friendly lights of the sidewalk. Continue walking and they reach the intersection of 800 E. 700 North. They wait for the light to turn red to cross the road and continue down the hill to their car, which is parked at the Stadium. The moment that person gets to the other side of 700 North they are thrown completely into darkness.

Anyone walking down 800 East on the east side of the road is left in the dark. Similarly, everyone is left in the dark as to why there are no lights lining the street to illuminate the sidewalk. Students are put in a potentially dangerous situation every time they walk down 800 East, whether they are walking to an apartment, event in the Spectrum or anything that would require them to traverse the dark path.

With winter nearing, and men’s and women’s basketball starting into their season, we need to take into consideration this busy sidewalk that is traveled on by students and members of the community. The sidewalk needs lighting. Some may argue that the street lights running on the west side of 800 East are enough. But, those street lights flicker and turn off at random times. They don’t even illuminate the sidewalk on the west side sufficiently.

This major artery to and from campus needs lighting that is designed for the sidewalk to keep those who use it safe and comfortable.