The recent news that a Facilities Management grounds vehicle struck a student while participating in a kinesiology class, brings to light the dangerous, yet common, practice of vehicles speeding on campus walkways during peak school hours. For a school that does not allow people to ride bicycles on campus because of safety concerns, one has to wonder why so many vehicles are allowed extra leeway.

If you take a moment to imagine the number of campus vehicles that pass students every day, it is easy to picture how something of this nature could happen. Campus drivers are too comfortable and are not as careful as they should be when operating vehicles around students.

The unfortunate incident of a student being clipped by a Facilities Management grounds vehicle trailer puts Sacramento State administration in the uncomfortable position of defending the driver and the safety of students on this campus. The student was injured with a possible hairline fracture in her leg. She was lucky that the truck wasn?t traveling faster or closer to her. If so, the consequences could have been much more serious. Additionally, because of the negligence of the driver, the University has now been opened up to the possibility of a lawsuit.

The State Hornet believes that Sac State took appropriate action in disciplining the driver, groundsworker Peter John Husman. As of Feb. 27, Husman was still employed with the University, but lost all driving privileges on campus. Additionally, Husman, and other employees of Facilities Management, will have to complete a safety training course?at which point the situation will be reevaluated. But, we have to wonder if the administration?s actions are enough to change the mentality of drivers who have become accustomed to speeding through campus.

The State Hornet feels the question that begs to be asked is: What more can be done to prevent another senseless accident, such as this, from occurring?

The incident was not entirely a shock. With the way vehicles are operated around students, this or something more serious, was bound to happen sooner or later. All this makes us wonder just how many close calls have occurred on this campus between students and reckless vehicles speeding through the University walkways.