Although there is no bell signaling the end of class on campus, students flood out of lecture halls and classrooms and onto the sidewalks of Duquesne all at once.

As students hike up the hills and wind past different buildings, they are often greeted by passing cars on the streets next to them. On top of worrying about getting to class on time, the students of Duquesne also have to worry about dodging these vehicles.

Two weeks ago, The Duke reported that a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Locust Street between the Student Union and the parking garage on Sept. 3.

This issue is not just unique to Duquesne. According to a 2018 study done by J Community Health, about 180,000 pedestrians suffered injuries and 6,000 pedestrians were killed by vehicles per year while running, walking or standing near a street.

To avoid future scenarios like this on campus, we suggest first-year students should not be permitted to have parking passes, excluding commuters, the traffic flow should undergo improvements and students should take measures to protect themselves while crossing the street.

Although Carlow University, Point Park University and the University of Pittsburgh allow all their students to hold parking permits, both Carnegie Mellon University and Chatham University do not permit first year students to have cars on campus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teens are less likely than older drivers to be able to identify dangerous situations. With most first-year students being younger, it is best to wait a year just in case.

Although it is helpful to have a car on campus to explore the city, go grocery shopping and commute to off-campus activities, Duquesne students are offered discounted public transit services to help them arrive at their destination — or they can walk.

Additionally, there should be a crossing guard assigned to directing traffic from the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., when campus is at its busiest. Although Duquesne Police helps students to cross the street outside the Union in the early hours of the day, there are still herds of students utilizing the intersection in the afternoon.

On the other hand, pedestrians can also protect themselves from the vehicles on campus by not texting, taking a phone call or listening to music while crossing the busy intersection that is Locust Street.

Both drivers and pedestrians can do their best to make campus a safer place.

Student drivers: Be cautious as you rush to find a parking spot in hopes of not being late to your class once again.

Student pedestrians: That text message can wait until you are on the other side of the road.