Parking and Transportation Services Announces Enforcement Changes
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2011) -- University of Kentucky Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) is announcing modifications to its existing parking enforcement procedures. The changes will be effective immediately and are designed to address parking compliance issues using the least punitive methods possible, while still effectively enforcing compliance with the University Parking Regulations.
According to Director of Parking and Transportation Services Lance Broeking, “Enforcement of the university’s parking regulations is necessary to promote orderly, efficient and safe use of UK’s parking resources. However, we have had in-depth discussions – both internally and with other parking and transportation departments - about how we can ensure compliance utilizing the least aggressive method whenever possible.”
A number of situations exist that may result in towing of vehicles, including parking in a fire lane, parking in a restricted space such as disabled or reserved spaces, altering or forging a permit, parking on an unpaid meter for over 24 hours, etc. Vehicles with unpaid citations are also subject to towing. According to Broeking, escalation of enforcement activity is an important component to ensure compliance. “If someone is unwilling to pay their outstanding citations, we have no choice but to escalate the punitive action.” In the past, this increased enforcement effort was generally towing.
In fiscal year 2009-2010, PTS towed 2,368 vehicles and in 2010-2011, that number was 1,740. Broeking points to increased communication efforts as reason for the drop in tows. PTS instituted a policy in April of sending email communications to vehicle owners four days after receiving a citation, and again at two weeks. While these emails are only sent to individuals for whom PTS has vehicle or permit information in their system, PTS is able to reach over half of all citation recipients through these communications. “We have seen a positive response to these email notifications,” Broeking said. “This reminder is an easy way that we can reach out to the community to encourage citation recipients to take care of their fees as quickly as possible.”
PTS is taking additional steps to further reduce the number of tows. PTS staff will begin issuing courtesy warnings to vehicles that are eligible for impoundment as a result of unpaid citations. Generally speaking, vehicles were previously subject to impoundment for unpaid citations after three citations. Rather than towing, the enforcement staff will now be issuing a courtesy warning after three citations. Once a vehicle has received a fourth citation, it will be subject to impoundment.
Rather than initially tow for unpaid citations, PTS will secure vehicles with a wheel clamp (boot). This provides several benefits to the customer. First, the release fee for a “booted” vehicle is $60, while it is $87 for a towed vehicle. Secondly, PTS hopes that booting, while inconvenient, will prove to be less emotional and traumatic than having one’s vehicle towed. Finally, booting is a much more visible form of enforcement and hopefully will serve as an added visual incentive to others to park legally and to take care of parking fines as quickly as possible.
While some situations may still result in towing of vehicles, Broeking expects the number of tows to be greatly diminished. “Our desire is that we could eliminate the need to boot or tow, but practically speaking, my hope is to utilize booting as sparingly as possible and reduce towing to a minimal amount.” Broeking goes on to say, “We’re trying to be as customer-focused as we can, within the confines of enforcing the regulations. Parking enforcement will never make violators happy, but PTS aims to do it with as little disruption to our customers as possible.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Kathy Johnson, (859) 257-3155, kathy.johnson@uky.edu; or Chrissie Balding Tune, (859) 257-3512, Chrissie.Tune@uky.edu