In most respects, we feel very secure on our campus. We walk alone at night, we walk in the middle of the road and we fail to look both ways before crossing. But we should not be naïve.

Two weeks ago, two students were injured when a vehicle, driving in a snowstorm, did not stop at the crosswalk between Converse Hall and Garman House. One student was sent to the hospital. Last year, another student was hit at the same intersection, also resulting in hospitalization. The College has been collaborating with the town to install a raised crosswalk at this intersection. However, the crosswalks between Valentine Hall and Clark House are hardly raised and are ineffective at slowing traffic. A better solution would be to install speed bumps similar to those on the road behind the social dorm. Even a sign warning drivers of an upcoming crosswalk and telling them to yield to pedestrians could be effective.

While safety at the College and in the town of Amherst is not as problematic as at other places, it still can't be ignored. Last week, two female students were approached by a strange man in a car who asked if they needed a ride. Additionally, it is not uncommon for delivery men to have codes to enter our dorms. The feeling of overconfidence in our security at Amherst is something the student body and the administration must address. We can't afford to wait for a student to accept a ride from a stranger and get hurt to force us to re-evaluate our trust.

One step to ensuring driver and pedestrian safety is for the College to install better lighting. Driving on the campus has become a dangerous game, with pedestrians ducking out from behind cars while drivers try desperately to distinguish between people and shadows. The problem is aggravated by snow, especially near the Freshman Quad, where there is barely enough room for one person and one car.

The current system of Safe Rides is an important safety tool that is, unfortunately, heavily misused during the winter. Students who utilize Safe Rides because they just don't want to walk take the service away from those truly in need.

Blue Light phones are another safety feature that can be effective. To allow students better access to the blue lights, however, the College should install more of them on the Hill and the Triangle.

Safety at Amherst may not be the most serious or controversial issue on campus, but it needs to be addressed, especially in light of recent events. Feeling safe is great, but only when warranted.