The University of Nevada, Reno Police Department says they've been receiving a steady amount of complaints from pedestrians about dangerous drivers. They also receive many complaints about cyclists and skateboards on and around campus.
Assistant Chief for UNR PD Todd Renwick says it's not too surprising to see all these complaints, considering the roads around the campus continue to get busier and busier.
"We are growing significantly whether it's on campus or off campus," Renwick says.
Renwick says they hear about close calls and even minor collisions fairly often, and he says drivers need to be more attentive when driving near the campus. Even though there's a stretch of North Virginia Street that's 35 mph, Renwick says people need to know there's going to be a ton of pedestrians near the school.
"We have a lot of people crossing our roadways," Renwick says. "We just a want drivers to slow down, pay attention to crosswalks, yield to the pedestrian, make eye contact with each other so you know you see each other."
Renwick says drivers should be sure to give cyclists 3 feet when passing them, and cyclists need to remember they must obey traffic laws when riding in the bike lane.
As for skateboarders, Renwick says with heavy crowds skaters just need to go slower and stay in control. He says the best thing they can do is pick up their board and walk in areas that are really congested, and riding after the crowd thins out and skaters can move past the crowd.
Renwick also stresses the need for pedestrians to do their part to stay safe.
We spoke with a couple students about what they've noticed walking to and from campus almost daily.
Sophomore Bethany Townley says she's had some close calls in recent weeks.
"I work up at Cane's and there's a crosswalk right near there," Townley said. "And I've had a few close calls where people are really going up fast."
Freshman Julian Sarabia says just this morning he was angry with a pedestrian, but admits he's not always the smartest pedestrian himself.
"She saw us approaching and she instantly decides to cross right in front of us," Sarabia says. "Even though we're approaching at about 20 miles an hour, she thinks that's the perfect time to cross the street. I just thought that was the silliest thing in the world, and then I realized I do the same thing."
Sarabia says he can get distracted by his phone or his music, but says he should be attentive whenever he's near the road, because if both he and the driver aren't paying attention, one is clearly at a disadvantage.
