The Public Opinion Soapbox

Junk Yard · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Shippensburg

I travel this stretch of road from West BURD Street out to Middle Springs
Road. The posted speed limit from BURD Street to Old Main Drive of the Shippensburg University is 25 MPH. From that point the speed increases to 35 MPH. The issue is excessive speed coupled with the college students crossing the road in that area, anywhere they feel like crossing. Some, very few, do look to check what is approaching. Most, just dart out in front of your car and expect you to stop on a dime for them. Even were there are crosswalks, and one even has a blinking light to warn motorists of pedestrians crossing, they do not activate the lights by pushing the walk button attached to the pole. The other issue is that both students and faculty are so anxious to get off campus, they run through the stop signs in their cars, trucks and suv's just to save a couple of seconds. I have not seen the Borough Police do anything, and the State Police only come out when they need to write a few more tickets for their monthly quota.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Location: Chambersburg

I know the street your talking about and I know the traffic patterns your referring to. It's annoying. But not overwhelmingly horrible. This is life in a college town. The University does a lot for Shippensburg and I almost only hear people complaining about it. I tend to avoid Shippensburg until the summers, when the population is cut in half.

ZiggyStardust · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 59 Location: Chambersburg

Being a Shippensburg graduate, I can say with authority that most of the time on that road if you want to cross you HAVE to dart out in front of people..otherwise you'd be standing on the side of the road waiting for a break in traffic for 5 minutes. A courteous driver who stops and lets someone cross is rare on that road.

Junk Yard · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Shippensburg

My point was that the two or three crosswalks that are there for the University students to use, ARE NOT USED. And it is difficult to see around a turn in the road to see sudents coming off the grass and out onto the roadway. It seems the walkways that the University installed, are not used because it is inconvenient.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Location: Chambersburg

Junk Yard · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Shippensburg

I was born and raised around Shippensburg. I remember the railroad tracks that used to go down the middle of Earl Street. I do stop for pedestrians even when they are not in a crosswalk. My reason is because I almost hit an elderly lady in Carlisle when I first got my driver's license. She stepped out between two parked cars. Since that time, I was just sixteen, that was over forty years ago, I've slowed down and give pedestrians the right of way. Even when they are not in a crosswalk.
Including the University Track and Field team when they run down Middle Springs Road five and six abreast. I have seen this on numerous occasions on that little road. And there are several hills and dips that obstruct the view of oncoming traffic.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Location: Chambersburg

Junk Yard · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Shippensburg

I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO STOP FOR THIS LADY BECAUSE SHE STEPPED OUT BETWEEN THE CARS WITHOUT LOOKING. AND THERE WAS TRAFFIC
IN THE LEFT LANE BESIDE ME THAT DID NOT OBVIOUSLY SEE HER.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Location: Chambersburg

Ok, ok... I mean, if the lady stepped right out and your choices are to hit her or stop, then you should stop. But, i someone's waiting to cross illegally, then you shouldn't let them go. That was all I was saying.

Sheesh Confused

Junk Yard · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 27 Location: Shippensburg

So COPPY, I take it you have never had any one step out in front of you with out looking while going through town. Or, have someone open their car door all the way to either get in or out of their car. Well hope you never have that happen to you in your lifetime. I drive through many small towns and I see these things a lot. Mostly because people just dont care, or hope that you wont hit them. GOOD LUCK with your driving record.
May it never be blemished

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Location: Chambersburg

QueenofHearts · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 379 Location: On the Computer

This belongs in the SHIPPENSBURG forum.

JMHO Wink

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I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.