Contact: Carl Nathe

“The safety of all our students, faculty, staff and visitors is a top priority. We are implementing safety measures across campus to decrease the number of incidents that have resulted in injury and even death.”

-- Lee T. Todd Jr.,
president,
University of Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 9, 2005) -- In a continuing effort to increase traffic awareness and safety for students, faculty, staff and visitors, the University of Kentucky is stepping up enforcement efforts in the pedestrian only zone in front of the Gatton College of Business and Economics Building, located on South Limestone, near the intersection with Prall Street. Effective May 9, signs will be posted to reinforce the area’s status as a no parking and no motor vehicle access zone.

Over the past several months, the sidewalk loop in front of the main entrance to the college increasingly has become an area where motor vehicles pull up to drop off or pick up passengers, as well as illegally parking there for periods of time. As a result, those walking into or out of the building often must dodge cars and trucks, creating a safety hazard. In addition to endangering pedestrians, the current situation also contributes to traffic congestion on South Limestone.

UK Police, together with UK Parking and Transportation Services, initially will monitor the situation to gauge voluntary cooperation in the area. Should compliance become an issue, motor vehicles will be ticketed and/or towed.

The enforcement zone in front of the Gatton College building is an extension of the university’s recently-launched PAWS (Pedestrian Awareness and Safety) campaign. The goal of the project is to enhance awareness of pedestrians and drivers to the dangers of collisions in the area of the UK campus and decrease the number of incidents.

“The safety of all our students, faculty, staff and visitors is a top priority,” said UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. “We are implementing safety measures across campus to decrease the number of incidents that have resulted in injury and even death.”

The PAWS program is not envisioned as an overnight solution to the problem of pedestrian and motor vehicle collisions, but rather an ongoing educational process. Plans call for the Pedestrian Awareness and Safety program to become part of the orientation process for students, faculty and staff.

More information about parking on the UK campus can be found online.