SECTION FIVE

Traffic Enforcement

500       Purpose

The Department of Campus Safety is charged with the responsibility of facilitating safe conduct of vehicle and pedestrian traffic on university property. All traffic enforcement efforts are directed towards this purpose. In order to carry out this objective, officers of the department responsible for the following duties:

• Enforcement of rules and regulations pertaining to parking and traffic
• Investigation of traffic accidents occurring on university property
• Directing traffic or warning vehicle operators of unsafe conditions
• Assisting in the maintenance of traffic control devices on university property

Enforcement

1. The most recent issue of Your Car on Campus is part and parcel of this manual. Officers are directed to read and be totally familiar with all parking regulations contained in this brochure. Enforcement activity is to be consistent with these regulations.

2. Enforcement activities are to be conducted in a fair and courteous manner. Although individual circumstances may warrant officer discretion, frequent inconsistency or selective enforcement results in disrespect for the department.

3. Parking violations are to be reported on an official Notice of Traffic Violation forms. In addition, moving violations require a separate Traffic Offense Report. For directions, please see the Communications sections of this manual.

4. Arrest or detention for traffic offenses is warranted in the following instances:

• When the officer has witnessed a driver deliberately attempt to strike someone with a motor vehicle (which constitutes vehicular assault).
• When the officer has witnessed the operator of a vehicle drive in such a way as to cause suspicion that the driver may be intoxicated.
• When the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident attempts to leave the scene.

5. When reckless or careless driving has caused substantial damage to university property.

502       Towing

An officer may order a violation vehicle towed from university property when that vehicle clearly represents a hazard to vehicle or pedestrian traffic. Examples include:

• Fire lane violations
• Drive or thoroughfare
• Sidewalks

Officers should use discretion and exhaust other attempts to have the vehicle moved before towing.

503       Abandoned Vehicles

Abandoned vehicles are to be removed from university property only upon direction of Parking Services. Officers suspecting abandonment should notify this division with details of the type of vehicle and location. Reasons to suspect abandonment include:

• Lack of license plates
• Obvious immobility or disrepair
• Many citations still on vehicle over period of time.
• Vehicles parked with blatant disregard for rules, and not moved

Officers should also be aware that abandoned vehicles may be stolen.

Recovering Stolen Vehicles – Procedure

1. If a vehicle is suspected as stolen, SafeCom will search the traffic database to ascertain that the vehicle does not belong to a university affiliated party.

2. If the owner cannot be identified through traffic database, a University Park officer should be sent to the DPD District three substation to check the current “hot sheet”. The officer should explain to the desk officer the nature of the inquiry, and request a computer check of the vehicle.

3. If the vehicle is determined to be stolen, notify DPD of the location. If possible, an officer should wait with the vehicle until the police arrive. Do not attempt to enter the vehicle or destroy physical evidence. When the recovery is completed, file an incident report.

Note: For guidelines for handling stolen vehicle reports on campus, see the offenses section under Auto Theft.

505       Traffic Accidents

Off University Property

Campus Safety officers have responsibility for investigation or reporting on these accidents only when a university owned vehicle is involved. If a university owned vehicle is not involved, officers may assist in rendering first aid, directing traffic, etc., until DPD arrives.

On University Property

Responsibilities of responding officers include:

1. Care or obtain care for injured persons.

2. Investigate events surrounding the accident, including interview of parties involved and witnesses.

3. Cooperate with DPD investigation if applicable. DPD will usually respond to private property accidents in the following instances: accidents involving injury, property damage exceeding $1,000.00

4. File a complete and accurate incident report detailing the facts obtained. It is neither required nor appropriate for officers to speculate on the cause of the accident in an incident report.

Accidents Involving University Owned Vehicles

1. An incident report should be filed detailing these accidents, regardless of their location. If the accident is investigated by another agency (i.e. DPD, State Patrol), the department will attempt to obtain a copy of the official report.

2. Information should be exchanged at the scene, including insurance carriers, drivers license, etc.. No employee of the University of Denver should discuss or speculate the cause of an accident at the scene.

3. Insurance and registration information should be located in the glove box of any university vehicle. Questions regarding insurance coverage should be referred to the University Risk Manager at 871-2354.

4. The employee operating the vehicle is responsible for notifying their supervisor a soon as possible. Campus Safety officers and SafeCom should assist if requested, or make notification if the employee is unable to do so.

5. If a university employee is injured, see Medical Assist in the Emergency Responses section of this manual.