Hill officials concerned for children's safety

  • Published
  • By Micah Garbarino
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Children at Hill Air Force Base are putting themselves in danger and they may not even know it.

Using the old crosswalks on 6th street, at the intersections of Charlestown Loop and Cambridge Lane, near the southwest gate, present safety concerns for children walking to and from Hill Field Elementary and the Youth Center.

The base's supply of crossing-guard volunteers dried up years ago, and with no traffic signals or stop signs at these intersections, officials shut down the crosswalks. The sidewalk on the north side of 6th Street was fenced off to prevent children from crossing the road at these uncontrolled intersections, said Kevin Patzer, 75th Civil Engineer Squadron pavement engineer.

To cross 6th Street, pedestrians are supposed to use the intersection of 6th Street and Liberty Road, which is controlled by a traffic light. This route is uphill and out of the way. Children looking to beeline and save time often run across the street and jump the fence.

"It seems inconvenient to walk up to the light at Liberty Road and cross there, but the extra five minutes is not worth the danger," said 75th Security Forces Staff Sergeant Agosto Rivero. "Jay walking might not seem risky, but with distracted kids and distracted drivers, you never know. Kids can't assume that drivers see them, and cars weigh a lot more than kids."

Peak traffic times on 6th Street, when people are rushing to get to or from work, coincide dangerously with the times children are crossing the road to get to school or the Youth Center. Adding to the danger, this time of year, it's often dim or dark outside during these hours.

To improve safety in the area, the 75th Air Base Wing has reduced the speed limit in the area from 30 mph to 20 mph during the hours of 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. New signs will be posted to mark the new school zone, which will be installed 300 feet on each side of the crosswalk, and a speed indicator sign will be installed to advise drivers of their current speed.  They also hired a contractor to spray over the old crosswalk markings again.  

Rivero plans to visit Hill Field Elementary to speak with children about the importance of obeying posted signs and following traffic rules, but he also needs parents help.

"Parents are responsible for educating their children on safety as well as their children's actions," he said. "This is an important issue for their safety."