GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The fall semester at the University of Florida officially started Thursday, and state transportation officials reminded students about the importance of pedestrian safety.
Representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation and UF police stood at the corner of one of the busiest intersections on UF’s campus, at University Avenue and 13th Street, to encourage safe pedestrian and driving behaviors during peak traffic times from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Officials also highlighted some of the safety improvements they’ve made like two new raised crosswalks, adjusted stoplight timing, and better signage.
FDOT began working on pedestrian-focused improvements around campus in 2021 after a UF freshman was hit and killed while crossing the street in December 2020.
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Maggie Paxton, who was only 18 years old, was from Jacksonville.
In January 2021, Sophia Lambert, also a UF student, died after two cars collided, causing one of the vehicles to strike her and four other pedestrians.
Lambert was not crossing the street, she was waiting to cross when the crash happened.
Police said a Honda Civic traveling east on West University Avenue and a Honda Accord attempting to turn south from westbound West University Avenue were involved in the crash. Police said the Civic then skidded sideways, striking a pole and five pedestrians -- all UF students.
Lambert, a 19-year-old from Miami, died later that night in a hospital.
This annual event is held during the first week of school to educate the campus community about pedestrian, scooter, and bicycle safety, according to a news release.