January 22, 2008

Purdue police to focus on restricted driving, parking areas

The main target area will be north of State Street, specifically Memorial Mall, said John Cox, captain of services for the Purdue Police Department.

"The added vehicular traffic hampers City Bus's efforts to maintain its time schedule and creates an unhealthy and, at times, an unsafe mix of buses, vehicles and pedestrians in a congested area," Cox said.

Under university parking and traffic regulations, a student driver may not drive or park on the north academic campus during restricted hours unless an A or B parking permit is properly displayed. Students cannot drive or park on the south academic campus (south of State Street) during restricted hours unless an A, B or C permit is properly displayed.

Restricted hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, except where posted otherwise.

Police will continue to enforce the regulation as normal, Cox said. However, after Jan. 30, the department will focus extra patrols on areas such as Oval Drive.

Purdue Police Chief Gary Evans said this is an important issue. 

"We're committed to enhancing vehicle and pedestrian safety on campus, and this initiative will help us raise awareness, educate our community and enforce existing regulations," Evans said. "We're partnering with Purdue Student Government to get the word out. Our preference is to achieve compliance through education and by addressing the issue as a new semester begins. We hope to reduce the necessity for enforcement as the semester progresses."

For more information on campus parking and traffic regulations, visit Purdue's Physical Facilities University Parking Web site at www.purdue.edu/parking/ and click on "Regulations."