Exercise caution on campus, on roads this season
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: Opinion
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas…"
OK, so we've been listening to that song since the first day the temperature dropped below 40 degrees, but there's no doubt the holiday season truly is here this week.
Lights are strung along the downtown square, Christmas trees are visible through residence hall windows and malls are crowded with shoppers who wisely opted out of the Black Friday experience.
And, if nothing else proves winter is almost here, Fayetteville was plagued - or blessed, depending on your season preferences - early this week with snow showers, light rain and icy roads.
Ahh, inclement weather. One of the few downfalls of the holiday season.
Yes, we said downfalls. Because sure, snowflakes are pretty, and yes, wondering even for two seconds whether there's any possibility classes could be canceled is a fun distraction from homework, but seemingly fun inclement weather also translates into danger for the many UA students who commute to class by car, foot, bicycle or otherwise.
Disaster can strike anywhere at anytime, of course, but the probability is augmented when precipitation and freezing temperatures come into play.
And added to the bad weather conditions earlier in the week were the thousands of students trying to return to school after Thanksgiving break.
The combination of snowy roads, holiday traffic and sometimes-reckless driving can only have disastrous results.
Fortunately, Dorian Burnett, a doctoral student in environmental mechanics, told a Traveler reporter that another "winter blast" isn't expected before finals week. If Burnett is right, that means most students will be able to travel safely home for the holiday break without worrying about iced-over bridges and cars zooming past on the interstate like it's dry and sunny.
But when the next snowy day comes around - and it will - please save your family and friends some worry and use some caution navigating through town and campus.
OK, so we've been listening to that song since the first day the temperature dropped below 40 degrees, but there's no doubt the holiday season truly is here this week.
Lights are strung along the downtown square, Christmas trees are visible through residence hall windows and malls are crowded with shoppers who wisely opted out of the Black Friday experience.
And, if nothing else proves winter is almost here, Fayetteville was plagued - or blessed, depending on your season preferences - early this week with snow showers, light rain and icy roads.
Ahh, inclement weather. One of the few downfalls of the holiday season.
Yes, we said downfalls. Because sure, snowflakes are pretty, and yes, wondering even for two seconds whether there's any possibility classes could be canceled is a fun distraction from homework, but seemingly fun inclement weather also translates into danger for the many UA students who commute to class by car, foot, bicycle or otherwise.
Disaster can strike anywhere at anytime, of course, but the probability is augmented when precipitation and freezing temperatures come into play.
And added to the bad weather conditions earlier in the week were the thousands of students trying to return to school after Thanksgiving break.
The combination of snowy roads, holiday traffic and sometimes-reckless driving can only have disastrous results.
Fortunately, Dorian Burnett, a doctoral student in environmental mechanics, told a Traveler reporter that another "winter blast" isn't expected before finals week. If Burnett is right, that means most students will be able to travel safely home for the holiday break without worrying about iced-over bridges and cars zooming past on the interstate like it's dry and sunny.
But when the next snowy day comes around - and it will - please save your family and friends some worry and use some caution navigating through town and campus.
Be the first to comment on this story