V. General Regulations for Traffic and Parking

A. Texas Tech is committed to the principle that in no aspect of its programs shall there be differences in the treatment of persons because of race, creed, national origin, age, sex, or disability, and that equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all.

B. Due to the diverse nature of operations between the Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center campuses, it is necessary to have certain regulations that pertain to the specific institution; these are submitted separately by each institution. Following are the regulations that apply to Texas Tech University as defined in C.1 below.

C. Definitions

1. 1. 1. 1. The campus is defined as all lands owned, managed, or otherwise controlled by the University, herein called "Texas Tech".
         2. Impoundment refers to the actual towing of a vehicle or immobilizing a vehicle by means of an immobilization device.
         3. A visitor is an individual with no official connection with Texas Tech as a student, faculty member, staff member, contractor, or vendor.
         4. A valid parking space is defined as an area designated on three sides by lines and/or posts, curbs, or other types of barriers for the explicit purpose of parking a motor vehicle.
         5. A decal is a physical permit issued for display on the vehicle. This can include stickers, hang tags, passes and receipts.
         6. An ePermit is an authorization given to an individual at the time of vehicle registration allowing
            them to park the registered vehicle in a designated lot, zone or space.
         7. Safe means free of hazard.
         8. Hazard means a condition or circumstance involving the chance of injury or death.
         9. Pedestrian means a person whose mode of transit is ambulation or who is defined as a pedestrian under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Examples include a person walking or using a wheelchair, self-propelled wheelchair or handicap scooter. A service animal, as distinguished from a work animal or pet, employed by a person with a disability, is granted the status of pedestrian for the purpose of these rules and regulations.
         10. Operator means a person who is not a pedestrian, as defined above, and who operates a nonpedestrain device or vehicle.
         11. Non-pedestrian device is any device, apparatus or contrivance operated as a means of transit and propelled in whole or in part by human power. Examples include bicycle, tricycle, pedal cart, velocipede, roller skate, in-line skate, skateboard, electric bicycle and electric scooter.
         12. Vehicle means any device, apparatus or contrivance operated as a means of transit and propelled by means other than human power. Examples include a car, truck, motorcycle, electric cart, tractor, riding mower, forklift and moped. For the purposes of these rules and regulations, a work animal used for transit, as distinguished from a service animal, is classified as a vehicle and is subject to the requirements thereof, which as by their nature apply to an animal, including proper display of permits.

D. Texas Tech makes every effort to provide protection for vehicles parking on campus but cannot assume responsibility for any loss.

E. The person to whom a vehicle is registered with Texas Tech is responsible for all violations of the parking rules and regulations. If a vehicle is not registered with Texas Tech, and a family member is a currently enrolled student, it shall be presumed that the student is the operator of the vehicle and is responsible for all violations of the parking rules and therefore subject to all Texas Tech traffic rules, policies, and penalties associated with monetary obligations owing Texas Tech.

F. Pedestrians in crosswalks will be given the right-of-way at all times.

G. Speed limits on campus are RADAR and/or LIDAR enforced.

H. No person shall drive, cause or permit a vehicle to be driven on Texas Tech property at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances then existing, but any speed in excess of the posted limits shall be prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable and prudent and that it is unlawful:

Speed Limits

1. Campus Streets: Twenty miles per hour, unless otherwise posted.

2. Parking Lots: Ten miles per hour, unless otherwise posted.

3. Parking Garages: Five miles per hour, unless otherwise posted.

I. Texas Tech Police Officers are duly commissioned peace officers of the state of Texas. Upon request of a police officer of Texas Tech, any person on the campus is required to identify himself with proper identification.

J. All thefts, accidents, or other offenses that occur on campus should be reported to the Texas Tech Police Department immediately. Accidents should be reported immediately. In accordance with State Law, vehicles involved in an accident should be moved prior to reporting the accident if they are movable. One-vehicle accidents and inoperable vehicles must also be promptly reported. Keys or valuables should not be left in a motor vehicle. KEEP YOUR VEHICLE LOCKED AT ALL TIMES.

K. Texas Tech is concerned about the protection of persons and property and places a high priority on striving to maintain a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The University cannot, however, guarantee the absolute safety of any one individual. Personal safety must begin with individual responsibility. With that thought in mind, a Personal Safety brochure has been prepared which contains personal safety recommendations, crime statistics, safety services and programs, as well as a list of telephone numbers to contact for help. All visitors and members of the campus community are encouraged to make themselves familiar with this information. The Personal Safety brochure is available at various locations on campus including the Personnel Office, the Texas Tech Police Department, the Center for Campus Life, and the residence halls.

L. Inoperable, damaged, or dismantled vehicles are to be reported to the Transportation & Parking office as soon as possible. Operators should identify their problem immediately and follow the instructions given by Transportation & Parking personnel.

M. The campus is restricted for use as described in these regulations. Any vehicle in violation of the regulations or not having a valid Texas Tech parking decal properly displayed or a valid ePermit registration as directed herein may be issued a campus citation.

N. These regulations apply to all persons who operate vehicles on Texas Tech property.

O. The Chief of the Texas Tech Police Department, the Director of Accounting Services at the Health Sciences Centers (responsible for managing the parking function on that campus), and the Managing Director of Transportation & Parking on the University campus are responsible for the implementation and the just and proper enforcement of these regulations.

P. The parking wheel stops and curbs located all over campus are six inches tall. Many newer and some older model vehicles have special ground effects attachments, air dams, fog/driving lights, or other attachments that reduce ground clearance under the vehicle. Driving such vehicles over the parking wheel stop or curb may cause damage to these vehicles. Drivers are urged to use caution when parking vehicles to avoid damage. Texas Tech University System assumes no responsibility in such cases.

Q. Many parking spaces located along curbs on campus face sidewalks running parallel to the curb. Drivers must ensure their vehicle does not extend over walkways causing an obstruction for pedestrians or disability access.