Staff report
Bloomington, Indiana – October 31, 2023
In a ghoulish start to Halloween, pedestrians were struck in two separate collisions near the Indiana University campus. Hannah Skibba, the Public Information Officer for Indiana University Public Safety, disclosed the details of these incidents to The Bloomingtonian Tuesday morning:
Shortly after 9:00 AM on Tuesday morning, law enforcement officers responded to two different accidents involving pedestrians struck by vehicles. The first incident occurred at the intersection of Fee Lane and Law Lane, resulting in the hospitalization of an IU faculty member with injuries that were determined to be non-life-threatening. The second collision occurred at the intersection of Indiana Avenue and 4th Street, leading to the hospitalization of two IU students, also with non-life-threatening injuries, as conveyed by Skibba.
A reader from The Bloomingtonian reported an eyewitness account on Tuesday, noting that a colleague at the IU Law School had heard the audible impact when someone was struck at the intersection of Indiana Avenue and 4th Street.
Skibba emphasized the importance of adhering to road safety recommendations and directed community members to the following link: https://protect.iu.edu/iu-police-department/personal-preparedness/traffic-pedestrians.html
The provided safety tips address pedestrian rights, underscoring that pedestrians have the right-of-way once they are already in the street. Indiana state law prohibits pedestrians from stepping into the path of a vehicle that poses an immediate hazard. Furthermore, pedestrians must yield the right-of-way if they are crossing outside a marked crosswalk or an intersection. They should not step into the roadway if all lanes of traffic do not provide a clear opportunity to cross.
In addition, drivers are reminded to:
- Use common sense and adhere to the rules of the road at all times.
- Refrain from using cell phones while driving, consume snacks only at your destination, and avoid reading while stopped at traffic lights. Drivers are urged to recognize their responsibility for their own lives and the lives of others when operating a vehicle.
- Avoid texting and driving, as it is illegal in the state of Indiana unless a hands-free or voice-operated system is in use.
- Follow traffic regulations, including obeying posted speed limits.
- Exercise caution when turning at intersections with traffic signals, particularly regarding pedestrians’ right-of-way.
- Be vigilant of pedestrians already in crosswalks and respect bike lanes, watching for bicyclists before making turns.
- Avoid passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian.
Given that Halloween falls on a Tuesday, extra caution is advised, especially in the evening, due to the presence of trick-or-treaters who may be dressed in dark-colored costumes.
