Safe Driving on Campus
As a member of Lambda Sigma, you're already among the brightest students attending universities, but even the smartest of us can still do stupid things from time to time, like getting speeding tickets, or making dangerous choices during end of term parties.
It's no secret that alcohol use is one of the most common factors in car accidents involving college-aged (and younger) drivers, and it's also common knowledge that the best way to keep your car insurance premiums from getting even higher than they already are is not to get in accidents in the first place.
To that end, here are some common sense tips for being a safe driver:
- Use turn signals even if you think no one else is around. We all get lax about this, but a simple blinker can save a life.
- Wear your seatbelt, even if you're only driving on campus. Stopping short to avoid hitting a pedestrian can still send you through a windshield, or cause serious impact against the steering wheel, if you don't.
- Maintain a safe distance from other cars on the road. You really don't need to be able to read the bumper stickers on the car ahead of you while you're both still moving.
- Obey the speed limit. Even if you haven't been drinking, you lose some control at higher speeds. On campus, speed limits are also considerably lower than they are on city streets, so be aware of posted limits.
- Drink responsibly. It's an admonishment you probably get tired of hearing, but it's crucial, especially on an urban campus where you have a high mix of pedestrians, bikers, and drivers all sharing the road. The University of Pittsburgh has several bus and shuttle options that you can access with a flash of your Panther card, including a guaranteed ride home, should one be needed.
As a student at an urban university, you have public transportation options that many university students elsewhere in the country don't have. It might cramp your style a little, but consider leaving your car at home during the school year and using the shuttles and busses that the University of Pittsburgh offers, which include not just after-hours "SafeRider" service, but also busses and shuttles from Chatham and CMU, as well as Port Authority busses, all of which are free with your Panther card. An added benefit of leaving your car at home, especially if you live at least 100 miles away, is that you may qualify for a discount on your insurance premium.
If having a car with you at school is a necessity, give your auto insurance agent a call before the next semester begins, and ask about good student discounts if you don't already have one, as these apply to college students as well as high school drivers. As well, you should check to see if they'll give you a discount for taking a defensive driving class. The university may sponsor such classes, and they're a good idea even if you don't get an insurance break.
Your insurance agent's number is actually one of two phone numbers you should always have with you as part of your personal driver safety program. If you do get into an accident, calling them sooner, rather than later, can ease your worries about what your liability insurance will cover. The second number you should always carry is for your campus police force, as they can offer you jump-starts and other emergency help, as well as being first-responders if your car is vandalized, or you are in an accident.
Driving on campus doesn't have to be much different than driving on normal city streets, but being prepared in case of an accident, and following common sense rules, will help guarantee that you're a safe driver wherever you are.
In addition to general good driving on campus, you'll also want to keep two things in your car with you at all times, and in your purse or backpack as well: the number of your insurance agent, and the number for the university police.
Your insurance agent can help you with everything from confirming whether a university-offered driving class may qualify you for a discount (your parents will love that, if they're still footing your insurance bill) to what happens if a friend borrows your car and crashes it. The university police, on the other hand, can usually jump-start your car if you leave your lights on long enough to kill your battery (a common occurrence during rainy weather), or offer you an escort if you have to walk back to your dorm or sorority house to pick up a spare key. Having your car at school can mean the difference between a good college experience and a great one. Knowing how to safely operate it on campus gives you - and your parents - peace of mind.