The intersection of Frey Road and Skip Spann Connector has become one of the most dangerous intersections at KSU, and improvements to safety need to be implemented.
It is a heavily congested intersection at the Kennesaw campus that features a constant trend of jaywalking pedestrians and speeding drivers. The night of Feb. 13, a student was hit by a vehicle as they attempted to run across.
According to a report from the KSU Police Department, the student ran past the median, attempting to reach the other side of Frey Road while the “do not cross” sign was lit.
A silver Honda Civic that was in the straight lane heading north on Frey proceeded to accelerate once the light turned green and struck the student. Fortunately, an officer witnessed the event and was able to get emergency services on the scene quickly.
This incident is indicative of the dangerous nature of the intersection. While the student did run across the road against the sign, it is important to analyze the intersection for possible improvements to student safety
The intersection is one of the densest intersections on the Kennesaw campus. The east parking deck is well populated, with students driving in and out of it constantly, and drivers turn the corner at a rapid pace, often allowing little time to check for crossing pedestrians.
Additionally, students who park in the east economy parking lot frequently jaywalk across the intersection and weave through traffic to reach the crosswalk. Drivers who are turning into the east deck can easily hit a student.
Furthermore, traffic turning left from the east deck and Skip Spann Connector do not get a green arrow signaling to turn. Instead, they must yield to oncoming cars and pedestrians crossing Frey Road. Those pedestrians are often difficult to see.
Many students feel uncomfortable and afraid at times when crossing over Frey Road at the intersection. Sophomore Brandon Uziak, a business management major, expressed his distaste for it.
“I feel like it’s dangerous because people are always getting into accidents around that area,” said Uziak. “When you’re coming upon the intersection, you must worry about students crossing, drivers coming in and out of the east deck, and it doesn’t help that people are always speeding.”
Uziak believes the university should try to ensure the safety of the intersection.
“They should reduce the speed, or at least have a warning light letting you know what color the light will be because there are always rear-end accidents in front of the east deck,” Uziak said.
Students must proceed with the utmost caution when approaching this intersection. It is very dangerous, and a change is needed to increase safety for students and drivers alike.
