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Why didn’t the UCLA student cross the road? Because he got a ticket, that’s why!

Many students have recently found something new on their walk to or from campus – a walking ticket. University police has been issuing tickets for students who are jaywalking, walking against a “Don’t Walk” sign, or committing other acts of heinous pedestrian crimes.

Without warning, UCPD officers on foot and bicycles have pounced on students going about their daily routines. Recent weeks have witnessed slues of citations being written. Even newly elected USAC General Representative Jenny Wood was issued a ticket on a walking offense.

Every child is taught to look both ways before crossing the street. But no child is taught to look out for cops before doing so. Unfortunately, that is the lesson on the streets of Westwood.

This is not meant to trivialize pedestrian safety. It is important for everyone, especially university students, to be aware of traffic laws and to be safe while traveling on foot. But it makes much more sense for the UCPD to inform walkers of potentially dangerous habits. Officers should be more concerned with educating walkers about their well-being than meeting quotas for citations. This barrage of tickets does not paint the image of an organization intent on maintaining student safety, but one looking to capitalize off students’ haste.

Additionally, UCLA’s geographic layout makes walking an already arduous, yet essential task. Mass quantities of students must flood sidewalks, patiently wait for crossing lights, and navigate any potential path to get to class. Hills, stairs and crowding make the campus largely inaccessible to bikes. UCLA is largely a pedestrian university where students must make do with the space they have. To punish students for walking, especially when it is clear they are in no real threat of danger, is counterproductive.

A common charge lately is the violation of a California Vehicle Code for crossing the street against a “Don’t Walk” sign. According to the code, it is unlawful to enter a crosswalk once the red hand begins to flash.

Did anyone really know this? How many people have treated the flashing hand as the equivalent of a yellow light? If you could safely make it across the crosswalk before the hand stops flashing, then it seemed perfectly fine to do so. But the letter of law says such an action is illegal. In fact, the fine for those cited for this offense is $111. Not only does this seem excessive in any circumstance, but for college students it seems downright inconceivable. Not only do students already have tuition, fees and book costs, now many have to pay for actually walking to class.

Also, another way to look at it is that a flashing hand looks a lot like someone waving at you. And what do you do when a friend waves to you? You go to them. If these ticketed students are guilty of anything it is of being too friendly.

Not only must walkers be subject to hefty fines, but they must also face a black mark being put on their records. But is this fair? For your first offense in an automobile, the state allows you to attend traffic school to have the violation cleared from your record. Why doesn’t California offer walking school for your first pedestrian offense? Does the 14th Amendment and equal protection under the law mean anything?

Furthermore, be it by the lure of education or the fear of tardiness, many have been the victims of entrapment. A clear violation of the Fifth Amendment, the police have exploited these poor steppers in their weakest moments and have left them awaiting their bail notices.

All legal remedies must be examined when fighting these tickets. A change of venue motion certainly might be a necessity. It is clear that in a walker-unfriendly town such as Los Angeles, it will be impossible for a pedestrian to get a fair trial.

In the end, these citations will not significantly curb the number of illegal maneuvers made on foot. Pedestrians will just add a police officer to the list of things to watch out for when crossing the road. Take it upon yourself to be an advocate for walker’s rights. Look out for yourself and for those around you while walking around our great school. After all, there used to be a time when pedestrians always had the right of way.

Pfohl is a fourth-year history and political science student. E-mail him at jpfohl@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.