De Anza College’s streets can only be as safe as the people who are lugging two-ton blocks of metal and explosive liquid though the lanes make them. 

In most cases, safety is not much of a concern for the pedestrian. Then again, most people drive on the streets and not the sidewalks. 

Sure, being hit on the sidewalks happens much less than other forms of automotive accidents, but many people who ride bikes, skateboards, or rollerblades will opt for the sidewalks because vehicles just can’t stay out of the bike lanes. 

The most dangerous places for pedestrians and cyclilsts are at the corners during red lights. If walkers, bikers, skateboarders and other recreational riders were unfortunate enough to cross the street when the lights say “go,” they could be be slammed by an un-welcoming bumper.

Even when drivers are not blatantly breaking the law, little to no regard is given to us pedestrians. Drivers seem to see the act of crossing the street as an affront to the vehicle’s natural right of way. I have taken to the habit of staring these drivers down, wondering if they see me while they drive by. While it does nothing to stop the behavior, at the very least I’ve developed one fine stink eye. 

The De Anza parking lots have seen plenty of accidents, including just recently, an extreme case involving damage inflicted to several parked cars by a blue Camry that slammed into the broadside of a car, nicking the tail of another one and pushing it into another two cars before fleeing the scene. Strangely enough, this is not the worst accident I’ve seen in the surrounding area, though safety has gotten better since the cell phone driving laws were implemented. 

But despite a place where people are supposed to pull less than 15 miles per hour, drivers still universally act entitled and self absorbed when behind the wheel.

Slow down De Anza!

We know you’re stressed, and that you may be late for a class or late to catch a new episode of Dexter, or something, but all the folks you have a chance of hitting likely prefer spending their afternoons at home rather than in a hospital room. 

At whatever speed, is it not a lot to ask of drivers to stop for a few moments and let a pedestrian, who’s stressed, and may be late for class or a new episode of Dexter, cross the street unmolested?