Personal Safety Tips
Walking safety
- Avoid walking alone, especially in dark vacant areas, and avoid shortcuts. Use an emergency call box or call Public Safety and Service to request an escort if you feel unsafe.
- If you must walk alone, walk directly to your destination on well-lighted paths. Walk with an air of confidence. Look alert; be aware of your surroundings.
- Wear light-colored or reflective clothing when walking at night.
- Keep your hands free, not overloaded.
- Have your Onecard and keys ready.
- Use sidewalks whenever possible.
Crossing the road or walking near roadways
Massachusetts Law requires motorists yield to pedestrians when they are in marked crosswalks. However, you are responsible for your own safety; if vehicles fail to yield, wait until it is safe to cross. Even though a motorist who fails to yield could be cited by police if they hit you, this does not make up for the injuries you may receive; please be safe when crossing roads.
Motorists are not required to stop for pedestrians crossing roadways when they are not within a crosswalk. For your safety, please use crosswalks whenever possible.
Be aware that where "another control" is present (i.e., a traffic light), vehicles must only yield when they are signaled by the light to stop. Community members should be aware of this as there are two traffic lights at crosswalks on Route 116 in front of the College. If you are crossing at one of these crosswalks, for your safety, please cross only when the pedestrian crossing signal indicates to do so, and if traffic stops.
If you notice the traffic lights are not functioning properly, contact Public Safety and Service (413-538-2304) who will in turn notify the town. When you need to cross where a traffic control is not functioning, use the same care you would use where no traffic control is present.
- Look both ways before crossing the road, make eye contact with driver before stepping in front of a moving vehicle.
- Drivers may not always stop or obey traffic signals.
- Pay attention, avoid distractions like texting.
- Walk against the traffic flow (i.e., on the left side of the road) so you can see traffic.
- When walking with friends, walk in single file when traffic approaches.
- Be alert to traffic and be prepared to move out of the roadway if necessary.
- Be particularly aware that at twilight and during hours of darkness, it is very difficult for motorists to see pedestrians, even in lit areas. If you wear dark clothing, be even more cautious as you cross roadways, even in a crosswalk, and even if the light directs you to cross. So, wear light-colored clothing and be alert to vehicles as you cross the road, especially after dark.
- If you cross where vehicles are parked or other obstructions exist, be aware that other motorists may not be able to see around the cars or obstructions; be especially careful when crossing, and use a crosswalk with better visibility if possible.
Running safety
Whether you run to compete or simply to stay fit, you cherish your running time and the empowerment running gives you. Lots of people feel the same. Unfortunately runners have occasionally been intimidated, harassed and even assaulted both on and off the campus.
- Stay alert at all times. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable. Don't wear headphones; you may not be able to hear approaching vehicles or an approaching attacker.
- Avoid wearing jewelry, carry identification and know the location of telephones along your route. Tell family and friends of your favorite running routes and write down or leave word of the direction of your run.
- Run in familiar areas avoiding unpopulated locations.
- When walking or running, especially at night, try to go with one or more friends.
- At night, wear reflective material, use lighted and well-traveled roadways and avoid the athletic fields and the path along Paradise Pond. Be cautious about walking or running the campus periphery at night.
- Trust your intuition about an area or a person. Avoid them if you are unsure. Use discretion in acknowledging verbal harassment by strangers. Project calmness and strength, keep your distance and keep moving.
- Be vigilant on-campus. Call the Campus Police Department or off-campus the local police department immediately if something happens to you or someone else, or if you notice anyone or anything out of the ordinary.
Run with confidence, and with caution.
Safety within campus residences and buildings
- Keep your office or residence hall room door locked at all times when unattended even when you are just down the hall, and lock your room door when you are asleep.
- Never compromise your safety for a roommate or friend who asks you to leave your door unlocked.
- Notify your house director if your key is lost or stolen. Notify the One Card office if your One Card is lost or stolen.
- Use caution admitting strangers, and be careful of individuals following in through an open door.
- Call Public Safety and Service if you see any suspicious activity or for any emergency.
- If you are being followed, run to an occupied area or campus residence and yell for help.
- Utilize quality lighting around door entrances.
Driving safety
- Obey posted speed limits.
- While a cell phone can be a valuable asset in case of an emergency, do not use your cell phone while driving. See our campus policy on the use of mobile devices while driving.
- Do not park where you are blocking fire lanes, within tow zones or in handicapped parking spaces without a state-issued placard or hangtag.
Additional Resources for Drivers
Off campus safety
- Report suspicious activities to campus police or the town police if you live off campus.
- Tell your friends about your plans and destinations when leaving your house, especially when you go off campus.
- Call your friends if your return will be delayed.
- Learn effective techniques of self-protection.
- Carry the schedules for Five College and student shuttle buses and the phone numbers of local taxi services and friends or house mates with cars.
- Also carry an emergency reserve of cash in case you need to take a taxi back to campus.
