Even as the school year enters its final full week of classes, it seems that the Spring 2012 semester has been one of the most disturbing in recent history. Months spent caught in the grips of assaults and student deaths have left many of us confused and wary as both our city and our campus are proving more and more dangerous to student safety. Friday morning’s sexual assault is yet another incident — and we hope it will be the last — in a series of attacks on students that has shaken us to the core.
While this assault should force yet again another round of reexaminations of how we can make Columbia a safer environment for students, we hope that this incident does not have a negative impact on one thing — taxi services.
Yes, this most recent assault occurred in a taxi. However, taxis can and do save so many lives every semester. The risks of alcohol use — notably drunk driving — are so severe that students just do not have the luxury of refusing taxis when planning an evening spent downtown.
Our hearts go out to the victim and we support every effort to apprehend the perpetrator. However, we can’t let this assault cloud our perception of the resources at our disposal. Taxis — especially the free service offered by Carolina Cab that, it’s important to note, was not connected in any way with the assault — should be among the first options to consider when it comes to avoiding the dangers of drunk driving. Taxis should be treated with the same common sense that can save lives. Plan ahead; travel together. A good time can still be good, even if you take the time to talk it out. This tactic, despite being simple, could finally put an end to this horrible trend and, we hope, leave this semester open to a happier, safer ending.
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