2009-10 Vehicle Operations Policy

Contents

1. General Rules
2. Registration of Vehicles
3. Registration Procedure
4. Parking Areas
5. Administration Enforcement
   • Fines
6. Appeal Procedures

1. General Rules

Campus parking and traffic regulations comply with Washington state motor vehicle laws and Spokane County ordinances. These rules apply equally to all faculty, staff, students and visitors.

1. These vehicle regulations are in effect on all Whitworth properties, including all campus roads, streets, parking areas, improved and unimproved areas and athletics fields.

2. No unlicensed or improperly licensed motorized vehicle may be operated on the Whitworth campus (other than special-service/university-owned vehicles).

3. Parking is permitted only in marked parking spaces in designated areas.

4. “No Parking” areas include posted fire lanes, all road and driveway curbed areas, crosswalks, loading zones, service-vehicle zones, assigned or reserved spaces, walks, planted or seeded areas, 15-ft. spaces around fire hydrants, areas around trash/garbage collection points, uncurbed areas, and posted “No Parking” areas.

5. The maximum speed limit on campus is 15 m.p.h. Lower speed limits are in effect when posted, or if road conditions warrant.

6. Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections and pedestrian crossings except in cases involving emergency vehicles.

7. Without prior approval of the security supervisor, no vehicle may be left on campus for longer than 30 days while the owner/operator is absent from campus for any reason.  Likewise, no disabled or inoperative vehicle shall be parked on campus for more than 72 hours. In either case, vehicles will be towed away and/or impounded at the expense of the owner/operator.

8. Whitworth reserves the right to impound any illegally or improperly parked vehicle at the owner/operator’s expense.

9. Spaces designated as disabled parking must be honored.

10. Motorcycles and motor scooters are considered engine-driven vehicles and may not be operated on walks intended for foot traffic.

11. If you plan on leaving your vehicle on campus when residences close for a vacation period, you must check with the Whitworth Security/Facilities Services Office (509.777.3254 or facilitiesservices@whitworth.edu) for instructions as to the proper parking area for your vehicle.

12. Individuals suspected of operating a vehicle under the influence of any drug or alcohol will be reported to local authorities.

2. Registration of Vehicles

1. Students are required to register each vehicle that will be operated or parked on campus.  Vehicle registration will be submitted via the online registration form.  This must be done at the beginning of the fall semester for each vehicle operated on campus.  New students follow the same procedure at the beginning of their entering semester. If a vehicle or windshield is replaced, please contact facilities services at 509.777.3254.

2. Faculty/staff members are required to register their vehicles through the online registration form upon their employment at Whitworth. If a vehicle is replaced or an additional vehicle is purchased, that vehicle must also be registered in a timely manner.  In the event of a replaced windshield, please contact facilities services at 509.777.3254.

3. Registration decals must be affixed to the FRONT WINDOW -- DRIVER'S SIDE of the vehicle. Motorcycles, motor scooters, etc., without windscreens must display the decal in a conspicuous place.

4. Adjunct faculty and visitors MUST obtain a visitor’s parking permit free of charge at the Whitworth Facilities Services Office.

5. Unregistered vehicles that are driven on campus temporarily due to damage or breakdown of a registered vehicle may be issued a temporary parking permit for a limited period of time as determined by Whitworth Facilities Services.

3. Parking Areas

1. Parking on campus, due to limited space and concern for the environment, is a privilege and is permitted only in designated areas.

2. Areas immediately adjacent to some buildings and marked by signs or painted yellow are reserved for service and delivery vehicles only.  All other vehicles parked in these areas may be cited and/or towed away at owner/operator’s expense.

3. Some parking spaces on curbs are marked “Visitors.”  These spaces are to be used by visitors only.  All other vehicles parked in these areas are subject to citations or towing at owner/operator’s expense.

4. Parking along streets is not permitted.

5. Parking is prohibited within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

4. Administration Enforcement

1. The director of facilities services is responsible for:
   1.  reviewing the administration and enforcement of these regulations;
   2.  recommending revisions of the campus traffic and parking regulations.

2. The security department, under the director’s supervision, shall:
   1.  administer and enforce the campus traffic and parking regulations;
   2.  supervise the installation of appropriate traffic signs;
   3.  maintain a registration record system;
   4.  issue permits and citations;
   5.  patrol the university campus;
   6.  keep records of violations and fines;
   7.  provide for appeals.

3. Persons observed violating traffic regulations, as well as vehicles found parked illegally, will be cited.
   
   NOTICE: Vehicles parked in fire lanes or other areas where the location threatens the safety of the campus community will be towed.  Vehicles whose owners/operators receive multiple citations without acknowledging and responding as instructed may also be towed. Vehicles towed may be impounded off campus at the expense of the registered owner.

4. Fines
   1.  Fines will be billed to the individual’s account.
   
   2.  Types and amounts:
   
   a)  Citations issued for failure to register any vehicle will be charged at $50 for the first citation and for any subsequent citations.                        
   
   b)  Parking violations are subject to a charge of $30.
   
   c)  Citations for speeding, failure to stop and operating a vehicle in a reckless/negligent manner will be charged at $40.
   
   d)  Citations for parking in fire lanes and handicap zones will be charged at $100; vehicles in violation will be subject to immediate towing at the owner/operator's expense.
   

5. Appeal Procedures

The president of Whitworth has authorized the facilities services department to provide processing for the appeals of all citations and requests for the release of impounded vehicles. This procedure assures an impartial evaluation of circumstances relating to the appeal and assists in appraisal of parking and traffic problems. The appeal procedure is as follows:

1. The initial appeal must be made within 15 days of the violation(s).

2. The appellant must submit an electronic citation appeal.

3. After the review has been completed, the appellant will be notified as to the outcome of the appeal.

4. These rules and regulations are designed to promote safety and mobility and not to generate revenue. Administration of the regulations will be courteous and equitable at all times.
   
   Information included in this operations policy is subject to change.
   
   Return to Whitworth Facilities Services Page