Campus police prepare for Phoenix Traffic Safety Week

Lauren D’Ambra / Reporter

Common knowledge suggests the balmy spring weather may inspire students to strip out of boots and coats, but don’t let all the heat get to you; remember not to strip out of that seatbelt.

Phoenix Traffic – Safety Week, which starts Monday and continues through March 19, was created by members of Campus Safety and Police last year to enforce and remind students and faculty of seatbelt and pedestrian laws, as well as basic car care. The campaign will consist of five major events:

The “Smart Trailer” – A device all drivers are sure to be familiar with, the smart trailer is the large electric device on the side of the road that clocks your speed as you drive by. The trailer will be placed in random locations around campus.

Recognizes and Rewards – Sgt. Vicki Moehlman, who helped create the campaign, will be monitoring university intersections, recognizing and rewarding faculty and students who exercise traffic and pedestrian safety. Rewards will include coupons from Aramark, a sponsor of the event.

Traffic-Safety meetings – Meetings will be conducted in the residence halls; Moehlman will hand out brochures while educating students on pedestrian and bike safety, drinking and driving and seatbelt laws.

College Coffee – Members of the Campus Safety and Police will be present at College Coffee on Tuesday. Moehlman will pose two questions involving traffic safety, and students and faculty will be allowed to submit answers. Those entering the correct answer will be entered into a prize drawing.

Village-Safety Workshop – Sponsored by the Jordan Center Area Council, basic car care information will be offered to students from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Jordan Center Parking lot. Campus Safety and Police and designated mechanics will inspect cars for fluids, oil and windshield washer, tire pressure and other basic car care concerns. The check-up is free, and is designed to inform students about car care and supply a place to come with their car before road trips. Each session will take about 15 minutes.

The campaign is meant to be taken seriously, but it is a non-offensive method to engage a positive reaction in students and faculty, Moehlman said.

“People have their minds on a lot of different things, the campaign is a waking-up from winter,” she said.