The crosswalk is part of the daily routine of every student here at San Benito High School. Almost every student needs to cross it to get to their classes. Though used every day, the crosswalk was not adequate for the number of students crossing. Students complained that it was not big enough for the amount of students who had to cross, making safety an issue when students would illegally and dangerously cross. Another problem was when students had to cross the street during later hours due to school activities, making the likeliness of an accident higher due to the lack of lighting.

This year everything has changed, as a new and improved cross walk was been installed. Thanks to the Council of San Benito County Governments (COG), San Benito High School has a new crosswalk. With a generous grant of $50,000, COG paid for much of the $65,000 project. The new cross walk now can improve driver awareness and student safety, as it now stretches across from 12 to 40 feet and has flashing lights. The newly-painted lines force drivers to stop much farther back than before, and the lights bring light to not only the cross walk but the sidewalks as well.

Superintendent Stan Rose says the cross walk was meant to, “Widen (the) area students would have to cross and to create lighting so people would now when to cross.” Students have also reacted in a good way toward this new installation. Senior Victoria Guzman says, “It’s been a great advantage because it’s easier to see people when they cross the street at night so you don’t have to worry about running them over.”

The campus supervisors still monitor the crosswalk during school hours, but the new installation has created a much safer San Benito High School. Campus Supervisor Lynn Dotson said that the new and improved crosswalk “definitely benefits the safety now that they made it wider and the lighting helps crossing for night events.” The installation of the new crosswalk has been both a success and beneficial here at San Benito High School.