Campus police recorded a significantly higher rate of vehicle collisions during the first week of classes than it has since then.
Speeding, distracted driving, and the struggle to find parking during the beginning of fall semester has resulted in an increase in traffic related collisions compared to other times of the year. From Aug. 14 to Aug. 17, there were 10 collisions on campus. In the six week period since the first week of school, there have been only 10 more collisions, as many as the entire Aug. 14 to Aug. 17 time period. This makes the first week of class the riskiest time period for students to drive to campus.
“At the beginning of each semester, primarily in the fall, Moorpark College Police receives a large amount of traffic collision reports, some being hit-and-runs, others being exchange of information between the involved parties,” said Spencer Neveaux, Safety Officer for the campus Police Department. “However, as the semester progresses, the amount of reports we receive tappers off.”
Traffic collisions typically occur between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the majority of classes are being held. Larger parking lots tend to see more hit-and-runs and vehicle collisions because more traffic travels through them.
“We see more collisions occurring when students are coming to class in the morning, because the majority of classes are in the morning,” said Neveaux. “There tends to be less towards the evening.”
Students can feel the tension of driving in heavy traffic not only when they are driving to school, but also when they are trying to leave.
Anthony Desimone, 20-year-old Criminal Justice major, totaled his car in a three-vehicle collision leaving school after his second day of class. The accident took place on Collins Road, where sudden heavy traffic near the intersection caused him to rear-end a car, which was then pushed into the next car. No people were seriously injured, however Desimone received 6 stitches at the hospital.
“I was in shock,” said Desimone. “It didn’t hit me until the next day when I realized I had no car.”
Tim Cass,19-year-old Computer Science major, also experienced the negative effects of back-to-school traffic when he returned to his car after class and found a note stating he had been rear-ended.
“I read it and got really angry, but settled down once I saw there wasn’t too much damage,” said Cass. “Everyone is fighting for the same thing and it can get a little competitive.”
The person who backed into Cass was not only courteous by leaving a note, but also avoided being filed as a misdemeanor. Sixty percent of accidents this semester have been resolved this way, in civil exchanges of information.
“If you do hit another car, and you damage it, you’re required by state law to leave your information: your phone number, name, and insurance information,” said Neveaux. “If you don’t, it’s a misdemeanor and you could be arrested.”
The Moorpark College Police Department is working on a public service announcement that will be disseminated around campus to educate students on the proper way of handling vehicle collisions.
“It just boils down to be on time to class, show up early, don’t rush through the parking lots, and operate your vehicle safely,” said Neveaux.
