With Stetson students returning for classes in a few weeks, local officials have installed new crosswalk signs with flashing lights at two intersections along Amelia Avenue to improve pedestrian safety.

The speed limit on Amelia Avenue is 30 mph through Stetson’s campus, but heavy traffic and speeding vehicles can create a dangerous situation for students crossing the street, said Bob Matusick, director of Public Safety and Emergency Management Coordinator at Stetson University.

“I think this is a big leap toward making our students feel safer crossing Amelia Avenue,” Matusick said. “Our intent is to make it as safe as possible for anyone to cross over this road, as well as any road around the campus.”

Matusick sees the potential dangers every day because Stetson’s Office of Public Safety is located on Amelia Avenue. His office overlooks the intersection at Amelia and East Michigan Avenue, a popular spot where students cross.

New signs with flashing lights have been installed at that intersection in recent weeks and also at the intersection of East Arizona Avenue, one block north. Pedestrians push a button on the signs and activate the flashing lights to alert approaching motorists to stop at the crosswalk. Matusick also encourages pedestrians to look left-right-left before entering the roadway to check for vehicles.

State law requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk. Violators can face fines and have points added to their license. Pedestrians also are required to cross the street in the crosswalk.

“The DeLand Police Department has agreed to help enforce the traffic laws here on Amelia Avenue,” Matusick said. “They’ve agreed to – at the beginning of the academic year – start a pedestrian operation where they’re out here, enforcing the responsibilities of students in the crosswalk and the responsibilities of motorists.”

On multiple occasions last year, the DeLand Police Department posted officers on both sides of Amelia Avenue to help educate students and drivers about traffic laws. Police officials say they are planning a similar endeavor this year.

“It was a very successful operation,” said Chris Graham, spokesman for the City of DeLand. “You’d be surprised how many people we found were unaware of what the laws are.”

Stetson has made a number of safety improvements over the years to improve pedestrian safety along Amelia Avenue, such as putting up signage to alert motorists to the crosswalks. Matusick saw the flashing crosswalk lights in front of Volusia County administration center in downtown DeLand, and asked the county about getting ones along Amelia Avenue, a county-maintained road.

Under an agreement with Stetson, Volusia County and the city of DeLand agreed to split the roughly $40,000 cost for installing the flashing crosswalk lights and signage at the two intersections. The city has agreed to maintain the flashing lights and signage.

The flashing lights are solar-powered in keeping with Stetson’s commitment to reduce its impact on the environment, Matusick said. He added that Al Allen, associate vice president of Stetson’s Facilities Management, and Bob Huth, executive vice president and CFO, also were instrumental in getting the new lighting.

“There’s a lot of traffic out here because it is a bypass to the downtown and Woodland Boulevard (17/92) and it avoids all those traffic lights,” Matusick said. “We’re trying to do everything we can to make it safer and draw attention to the crosswalk.”