Why didn’t the UCLA student cross the road? Because he got
a ticket, that’s why!
Many students have recently found something new on their walk to
or from campus ““ a walking ticket. University police has been
issuing tickets for students who are jaywalking, walking against a
“Don’t Walk” sign, or committing other acts of
heinous pedestrian crimes.
Without warning, UCPD officers on foot and bicycles have pounced
on students going about their daily routines. Recent weeks have
witnessed slues of citations being written. Even newly elected USAC
General Representative Jenny Wood was issued a ticket on a walking
offense.
Every child is taught to look both ways before crossing the
street. But no child is taught to look out for cops before doing
so. Unfortunately, that is the lesson on the streets of
Westwood.
This is not meant to trivialize pedestrian safety. It is
important for everyone, especially university students, to be aware
of traffic laws and to be safe while traveling on foot. But it
makes much more sense for the UCPD to inform walkers of potentially
dangerous habits. Officers should be more concerned with educating
walkers about their well-being than meeting quotas for citations.
This barrage of tickets does not paint the image of an organization
intent on maintaining student safety, but one looking to capitalize
off students’ haste.
Additionally, UCLA’s geographic layout makes walking an
already arduous, yet essential task. Mass quantities of students
must flood sidewalks, patiently wait for crossing lights, and
navigate any potential path to get to class. Hills, stairs and
crowding make the campus largely inaccessible to bikes. UCLA is
largely a pedestrian university where students must make do with
the space they have. To punish students for walking, especially
when it is clear they are in no real threat of danger, is
counterproductive.
A common charge lately is the violation of a California Vehicle
Code for crossing the street against a “Don’t
Walk” sign. According to the code, it is unlawful to enter a
crosswalk once the red hand begins to flash.
Did anyone really know this? How many people have treated the
flashing hand as the equivalent of a yellow light? If you could
safely make it across the crosswalk before the hand stops flashing,
then it seemed perfectly fine to do so. But the letter of law says
such an action is illegal. In fact, the fine for those cited for
this offense is $111. Not only does this seem excessive in any
circumstance, but for college students it seems downright
inconceivable. Not only do students already have tuition, fees and
book costs, now many have to pay for actually walking to class.
Also, another way to look at it is that a flashing hand looks a
lot like someone waving at you. And what do you do when a friend
waves to you? You go to them. If these ticketed students are guilty
of anything it is of being too friendly.
Not only must walkers be subject to hefty fines, but they must
also face a black mark being put on their records. But is this
fair? For your first offense in an automobile, the state allows you
to attend traffic school to have the violation cleared from your
record. Why doesn’t California offer walking school for your
first pedestrian offense? Does the 14th Amendment and equal
protection under the law mean anything?
Furthermore, be it by the lure of education or the fear of
tardiness, many have been the victims of entrapment. A clear
violation of the Fifth Amendment, the police have exploited these
poor steppers in their weakest moments and have left them awaiting
their bail notices.
All legal remedies must be examined when fighting these tickets.
A change of venue motion certainly might be a necessity. It is
clear that in a walker-unfriendly town such as Los Angeles, it will
be impossible for a pedestrian to get a fair trial.
In the end, these citations will not significantly curb the
number of illegal maneuvers made on foot. Pedestrians will just add
a police officer to the list of things to watch out for when
crossing the road. Take it upon yourself to be an advocate for
walker’s rights. Look out for yourself and for those around
you while walking around our great school. After all, there used to
be a time when pedestrians always had the right of way.
Pfohl is a fourth-year history and political science
student. E-mail him at jpfohl@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments
to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.