By now, drivers traveling through the Sacramento State campus should have noticed the bright-green horizontal “stop for pedestrians” signs placed in the middle of the campus’s main crosswalks.

These signs were put up by Sac State Facilities Services to make campus safer for pedestrians.

“The intent (of the signs) is to slow traffic down and protect pedestrians,” said Associate Vice President of Facilities Ron Richardson.

Discussions have been held over the last few months within Sac State Administration, Business Affairs, Public Safety, University Transit and Parking Services and Facilities regarding campus pedestrian safety, Richardson said.

During these discussions it was recommended from the Transportation Advisory Committee that improvements should be made to send a message to drivers to stop for pedestrians and improve the Hornet Crossing.

“Most of the parking lots are on the perimeter of the campus and that makes it necessary to cross the main roads to get to class,” said Sgt. Joe Green of the Sac State Police Department. “We wanted to make sure there were enough crosswalks available with yield signs for people to safely walk through the road.”

Despite the obvious safety awareness reasons for the signs being placed in the crosswalks, some students feel they might be getting in the way of drivers.

“I had to make an extra-wide turn not to hit one of those signs,” said Savaire Magee, junior psychology major. “I’ve always been aware of pedestrians and I can usually see them in the crosswalks but now with the signs you can’t miss them.”

There have been no reports of any collisions involving pedestrians that would have prompted the placement of the yield signs, according to the Sac State Police media log.

Following the improvement discussions, it was determined that the installation of pedestrian yield signs at crosswalks on the main campus roadways would further improve pedestrian safety on campus, Richardson said.

“I feel safe as a pedestrian when I walk from my car to class,” said Julie Pham, senior communication studies major.

The last action taken to address crosswalk safety on the campus’ main roadways was when the original crosswalks were installed a few years ago.

The addition of the yield signs has been the only pedestrian safety precaution taken since.

Facilities is in the process of conducting an estimate for the cost of installing thermoplastic reflective surfaces. This material will replace the white paint on the road surfaces, crosswalks and stop limit lines, Richardson said.

There are no other plans for safety improvements for the campus for the rest of the fall semester.