Be safe in the parking lot or risk a ticket

By Evan Green

So Last week someone crashed their car while doing cookies in the lower parking lot.
Since then, Public Safety has decided to crack down on careless drivers.

While some people might grumble about public safety writing out tickets, the truth is people shouldn’t be breaking the rules. This is safety we’re talking about. No one has the right to drive recklessly.

Here are the rules that drivers need to follow in the parking lot.

1. You need to obey the posted speed limit. The speed limit in the parking lot is 15 mph. If you’re going 20 mph that probably won’t get you into trouble. If you’re going 25-30 mph you are going too fast and risking a ticket. Going upwards of 40 mph is completely inappropriate. That’s how accidents occur.

2. You need to obey the stop signs. Some people think they can just blow through stop signs in the parking lot, but those stop signs are there for a reason.

3. Don’t park in a handicap parking spot unless you have a permit. Fines for parking in a handicap parking spot are $100. This is the biggest fine you can get on campus.

4. Don’t park in someone else’s reserved parking space. You also need to have the proper permit if you’re going to park in a carpool parking space. Talk to public safety about getting the proper permit.

5. Be mindful of pedestrians. Pay attention to crosswalks and people crossing the street. Pedestrians need to be alert as well. Pedestrians should never jaywalk under any circumstances; they should cross only at the designated crosswalks.

Just remember that when you are driving in the parking lot, you don’t own the road, you’re sharing it. If you follow the rules then there’s no need to worry about Public Safety.