A third car accident has struck Carbondale this year and pedestrians will – or at least should – continue to hesitate at the crosswalks on campus and on city streets.

Some drivers on campus make it difficult for pedestrians to take advantage of the crosswalk sign because they don’t pay attention to their surroundings or they don’t follow the speed limit on campus.

On Monday, a driver for Women’s Night Safety Transit struck a female student on Mill Street.

Irony, anyone?

The driver was temporarily suspended from driving for the transit service and police ticketed him for not yielding to a pedestrian at a crosswalk.

And this isn’t the first accident this year.

In January, a man was killed on Mill Street and a student suffered a hit-and-run.

On campus, police reported nine accidents have involved pedestrians, resulting serious injuries since 2002.

Most drivers who approach the crosswalks do not seem to observe their surroundings. Distractions within the car come into play such as talking on a cell phone, playing with the radio or looking for something in the back seat.

At times, drivers are aware of their surroundings and can perfectly see pedestrians about to cross their side of the road. Many students may have experienced drivers speeding up to the crosswalk so they can avoid slowing down, stopping and waiting a few seconds for students to cross.

It’s reckless driving like this that causes dreadful accidents.

For many students and faculty members who have a busy schedule, the last thing they need to worry about is getting hit by a car in a crosswalk.

Three pedestrian-car accidents in two months are too many.

Pedestrians – please cross the street with caution. It may sound like something your mother would say, but in cases of life and death, it needs to be said.

Drivers – please take note of the incidents of the past two months.

It’s not hard. Just drive safely.