Motor Vehicles
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 115D-21, the College shall enforce the following traffic regulations.
A. Chapter 20 of the North Carolina General Statutes regarding the operation of motor vehicles on North Carolina highways shall apply to the College’s streets, roads, alleys and driveways along with all other rules and regulations contained herein. These regulations shall apply on a twenty-four (24) hour basis.
B. The speed limit on any College street, road, or alley shall be the maximum of 15 miles per hour.
C. While on the College campus, all drivers shall comply with the Campus Police Officer’s legal instructions and shall obey all traffic and parking laws and regulations. The College shall be responsible for ensuring that the necessary signs are erected and maintained on the campus.
D. The College shall ensure that information about operating a motor vehicle on the College’s campus is given out at every student orientation and registration. A copy of this Policy shall be included in all student handbooks. Failure to obtain a copy of this Policy or not knowing the traffic laws is not an excuse or justification for violation of the laws and regulations.
E. All vehicles operated on campus must be properly registered and display a College parking decal. Students, faculty and staff must register their vehicles within the first five (5) business days of being hired (for employees) or within two (2) business days of class (for students).
F. Any vehicle that is driven by or is transporting a person who is handicapped and that displays a state-issued license plate, a removable windshield placard or a temporary removable windshield placard may park in designated handicap spaces on campus. No one will be allowed to park in designated handicapped spaces without the proper license plate or placard.
Specific Provisions
A. Campus Police Officers shall have the authority to issue citations for all moving violations and handicapped parking violations. For a complete list of all moving violations, see Chapter 20 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Such moving violations include, but are not limited to:
1. Reckless driving.
2. Driving faster than the posted speed limit.
3. Failure to obey traffic signs.
4. Failure to yield right-of-way at pedestrian crossings.
5. Following too closely.
6. Driving while impaired or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
7. Failure to yield to emergency vehicles.
8. Operating a vehicle that creates a safety hazard.
9. Parking in a designated handicapped space without the proper license place or placard.
B. Campus Police Officers’ and other College personnel authorized by the President shall have the authority to issue parking citations for violations including, but not limited to:
1. Parking in a restricted parking lot or zone.
2. Parking on grass (unless a sign indicates permission).
3. Blocking any legally parked vehicle.
4. Affixing a parking decal to a vehicle other than that for which it was issued.
5. Parking against traffic flow. 6. Blocking or obstructing traffic, street, crosswalk, sidewalk, fire hydrant, building entrance or exit.
7. Parking where protruding into a lane of traffic.
8. Double parking.
9. Parking on shoulder of road (unless a sign indicates permission)
10. Failure of two-wheeled vehicles to park in designated areas.
11. Parking a vehicle in any manner that creates a safety hazard.
12. Leaving a vehicle on campus overnight without having prior permission and notifying Campus Resource Officers.
Citations
The following system of citations shall be used.
A. Moving and Handicapped Violations (Section II(A)
1. Campus Police Officers have the legal authority to issue citations for all moving violations and handicapped parking violations. Citations shall carry a penalty or fine as set forth in Chapter 20 or Chapter 14 of the North Carolina General Statutes; if no fine or penalty is specified in statute, the fine shall be no more than one hundred dollars ($100.00).
2. The Campus Police Officers issuing the citation will advise the violator of the scheduled court date and procedure for payment of the fine.
3. In addition, employees and students are subject to disciplinary action pursuant to Board policy.
B. Parking Violations (Section II(B)
1. The first parking violation shall result in a citation placed on the vehicle and a five-dollar ($5.00) fine per offense. The fine must be paid within thirty (30) calendar days or the violator will lose his/her parking privileges until the fine is paid.
2. A second parking violation shall result in a citation placed on the vehicle and a five-dollar ($5.00) fine per offense. The fine must be paid within thirty (30) calendar days or the violator will lose his/her parking privileges until the fine is paid. Also, the violator will receive a follow-up letter that should s/he receive another parking citation, s/he will lose his/her parking privileges on campus for the remainder of the academic year.
3. A third parking violation will result in the vehicle's towing and loss of parking privileges on campus for the remainder of the academic year.
4. During the first two (2) class days of each semester, warning citations shall be issued for improper parking. Beginning with the third-class day, the rules outlined herein shall be enforced.
5. Student registration for new/additional courses or release of transcripts will be blocked until all parking tickets have been paid.
6. In addition, employees and students are subject to disciplinary action pursuant to Board policy.
7. All abandoned vehicles and vehicles blocking a drive, obstructing the flow of traffic, creating a safety hazard, parked in a fire lane, loading zone, or designated tow-away zone or for third parking offense violation are subject to tow-away or immobilization by a restraining device at the full expense of the owner.
8. All proceeds of civil penalties collected shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 115C-457.2.
Appeal
Individuals receiving a citation pursuant to Section II(B) may appeal in writing to the Vice President of Workforce and Operations within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the citation. The Vice President of Workforce and Operations will review the matter, and his/her decision shall be final.