Safety Reminders for University of Arizona Students
Welcome to all University of Arizona students as you begin your Fall 2017 semester, and a very special warm welcome to the U of A Class of 2021! Whether this is your first time in Tucson or you were born and raised here, this is an exciting time of year. You’ve probably got your mind full of classes, parties, and learning your way around campus.
So, what kinds of dangers should you be on guard against? Here are some of the most common.
Tucson Student Car Accidents
Texting while driving is the No. 1 cause of death for teenagers, followed by drunk driving. Nationwide, a whopping 80 percent of college students text while driving. Here in Arizona, 45 percent of traffic fatalities involve at least one driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.
In other words, car accidents are by far the most common cause of death for teenagers and college students, and the most common causes of those accidents are highly avoidable.
University Students & Pedestrian Injuries
In September 2015, 4 University of Arizona students were injured while crossing the street at the corner of Fifth Street and Euclid Avenue. Three of them were released from the hospital after short stays, but one was seriously injured, experiencing head trauma and a broken pelvis.
In 2015, 161 pedestrians were killed in car accidents in Arizona. Tucson ranks as the 18th most dangerous metropolitan area in the country for pedestrians. By following these tips, you can make yourself less likely to be the victim of an accident.
- Make yourself visible—carry a flashlight at night, stand clear of obstacles, and cross at a well-lit area.
- Avoid dangerous behaviors—walk on the sidewalk, keep sober, and never assume vehicles will stop for you.
- Look before you cross—look left, right, and left again before crossing. Obey traffic signals and avoid headphones or talking on the phone while crossing.
Workplace Injuries
While you’re working to pay for books, rent, and tuition, it’s easy to let your mind drift. After all, you’ve got your mind on classes and your social life. But if you let your mind drift on the job, you’re setting yourself up for an accident.
The more common student jobs, such as restaurant, retail, fitness, and warehouse positions, can all be pretty injury-prone.
You could burn your hand on an oven. Boxes and other wares could topple and fall on you. If you’re a fitness instructor, you could push your body too far. If you’re in a warehouse, you’d better look out for forklifts.
Keep your mind on what you’re doing. You never know what you might end up regretting.
Injured? Get Legal Help
The Khalidi Law Firm has more than 20 years of experience helping injured University of Arizona students recover compensation from negligent drivers and employers. If you were seriously injured on your way to or from classes or in the workplace, contact the Tucson injury lawyers at The Khalidi Law firm for a free consultation. Call (520) 629-9909 today.
