by Samson Tamijani
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — University of Arkansas Facilities Management got the go-ahead from the City of Fayetteville to install a radar speed sign on Garland Avenue this month. Drivers and students alike already notice the change.
The street is already a major road to get to campus, where a race between drivers and walkers is part of the everyday commute.
Breanna Lacy, Communications Director of FAMA, said Garland is already considered the road with the most speeders bordering UA’s main campus.
That’s why facilities management set aside more than $14,000 to install a radar tracker. Now, drivers have an extra warning before slowing down for pedestrians.
“We know how busy Garland is,” Lacy said. “The intent with the radar sign was just to bring more attention to the fact that the speed limit is 25, not 30 or 35, and there are quite a few people crossing.”
The distracted driver crash that resulted in the death of UA student Andrea Torres last February already raised concerns of traffic safety on the street, but Lacy is confident the radar tracker sign helps.
“I think everyone knows that especially on Garland, (speeding) happens,” Lacy said. “But it’s so busy that we need to do everything we can to get people’s attention.”
Freshman Anna Reynolds said she supports FAMA’s investment to get drivers to pay attention to their speeds.
“As a pedestrian that uses the crosswalk every day, a lot of us don’t really look to see if cars are coming,” Reynolds said. “So if they’re speeding and can’t slow down it’s just kind of scary.”
Facilities Management told UATV News it has ideas for safety features on more streets around campus, but at this time no definite plans are filed with the city.