CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The problem of pedestrian and cyclist safety continues in Charlottesville.

Some say it's a culture issue, and some say it's an infrastructure problem. But the latest issue is that pedestrians don't seem to pay attention when they're trying to cross the street, especially around the University of Virginia Corner.

"I don't think it's an issue of people going out into the street trying to endanger themselves,” said Ethan van Berkel, a second-year student at UVA.

Van Berkel lives off of Jefferson Park Avenue, an area where many students live, and sees the same problems.

"In a car, you're trying to get places as fast as you want to be. Also, when you're walking, you're trying to get to places as fast as you want to be," he said.

Van Berkel is studying urban planning and civil engineering. He said that the wideness of the roads makes cars drive faster.

"There's a narrowing effect of your vision when you're going that fast, so there's less time to react. It's not necessarily your fault. It's how the road's designed," he said.

He said with wide roads and faster cars, pedestrians are going to have an even harder time crossing.

Van Berkel does work with the local group Livable Cville. He said it's not trying to get rid of cars, but it is trying to make the roads safer.

While this is not a new problem, he says they do want a new solution.