NIU students who depend on their feet for transportation should watch out for cars when they walk around DeKalb.

Fortunately, there weren’t any pedestrians in the street early Monday morning when a DeKalb man ran a stop sign on Stadium Drive West and slammed into a tree on West Lincoln Highway. The area has a large student/pedestrian population.

Scott C. Clausen, 24, 1325 W. Lincoln, Apt. 402A, was arrested Monday by DeKalb Police and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and disobeying a stop sign. Clausen was taken by ambulance to Kishwaukee Community Hospital and had not been released by Tuesday afternoon.

Police said a passenger in Clausen’s car said the two did not see the stop sign because of the foggy weather Monday night.

“On a night like (Monday) night, where there is dense, patchy fog, a motorist may not have the same vision a pedestrian does in the fog,” said DeKalb Police Lt. Dick Moudy. “Thank goodness there weren’t any pedestrians crossing the street when it happened.”

Moudy urged pedestrians to be careful when walking and listen for traffic sounds even if they have the right of way.

“Fog can blind drivers,” he said. “Pedestrians may see and hear a car, but the driver may not see them.”

University Police Sgt. Ralph Taylor warned students to walk defensively.

“Be on your safeguard when crossing streets even though you are in the crosswalk and have the right of way,” he said.

Taylor reminded students not to drink and drive. “If you’re partying or drinking, have a designated driver,” he said.