UCLA is an elite public institution committed to its students, but it has a pothole problem. Around campus and the area of Westwood, many potholes pose a danger to students, and the administration should strive to fix them as soon as possible.
One of the major potholes to avoid, even though you really can’t, is the infamous pothole near In-n-Out; the whole side is missing. There is practically nowhere for students, especially those living in neighboring apartments, to walk. “Don’t even get me started on the other side,” said Anthony Ledesma, a fourth-year student studying English.
There is no sidewalk; it’s just rocks. And this problem becomes even more inconvenient whenever it rains and large, disruptive puddles form. It would be very unpleasant for someone to step in one of these puddles on their way to class. Yet, there have been no plans or even attempts to fix these massive potholes!
Potholes are not only dangerous for people walking but also for people using their scooters. Many of the students on campus use scooters to get to class, not only because of its easy use but also its speed. It is heartbreaking to see one of your fellow students using a scooter hit a pothole and take a damaging fall. The lack of protection I often see from students on scooters makes everything so much worse too. Students can be seriously injured by not filling in these potholes that really shouldn’t cost that much.
Potholes are located near the intersection of Gayley Ave. and Strathmore Drive. These have posed a danger to students traveling through the area on skateboards, scooters and by foot.
Photographed by Caleb Velasquez/BruinLife.
“I busted my knee roller-skating down a hill. There is a tunnel on Veterans, maybe; a pothole made me trip,” said Jasmine Rios-Artola, a third-year student majoring in sociology. “I had to get up and wipe my tears away.” Potholes are not only a danger but an inconvenience to our student body. Students would feel safer going to class if these potholes were fixed.
The UCLA administration said they were committed to our safety. Why don’t they start showing their commitment by filling these hazardous potholes that are endangering our students’ safety?
