Motor Vehicle Policy

PHILOSOHY

Northwest University seeks to provide and maintain a safe campus environment for vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. It is considered a privilege to operate and park a vehicle on the campus. Parking and driving regulations are created and enforced to establish a climate of safety and order. Citations may be issued for failure to observe driving and parking regulations. In some cases the vehicle may be towed from the campus at the owner’s expense.

REGULATIONS

General

  • All motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and scooters, parked or operated on Northwest University campuses by students and employees must be registered with Northwest University and display a current parking permit. The permit is to be placed on the inside upper right corner of the rear window. The permit should be located so as to as to be easily read from outside the vehicle. Permits should be obtained and installed no later than one week after the first day of the semester. Student vehicles should be registered with the University at the time of student registration. Vehicles not displaying a current parking permit may be towed from the campus at the owner’s expense and/or may incur a fine.
  • All vehicles that operate and park on the campus, must have current registration from the state in which the vehicle is registered, be operable and insured. Failure to comply may result in the vehicle being towed from the campus at the owner’s expense.
  • Vehicles driving on campus will be operated in a safe manner. Drivers will observe the campus speed limit of (15 MPH), regulatory signs and yield to pedestrians. Failure to comply may result in a citation. Citations may be issued for failure to stop at campus stop signs including the stop sign located at the exit to the Firs and Student apartment complex; namely at the intersection of 114th and 53 rd streets. As Security is not equipped to pursue & stop vehicles, a citation may be issued by identifying the owner via the license plate number and mailed to the owner/operator. The person listed in the Northwest University vehicle registration data base will be responsible for the fine when the actual driver cannot be identified.
  • Drivers will not operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any medication, which would impair their driving ability. In such instances the Kirkland Police Department may be called to facilitate the enforcement of said violations.
  • Vehicles operated on the Northwest University campus, must be in mechanical compliance and equipped as specified in the Washington State vehicle code.
  • Vehicles operated on the campus during the hours of darkness, will do so with the head and tail lamps lighted.
  • Vehicle repairs are not allowed on campus
  • The Director of Security or the Director of Community Life may suspend one’s campus driving and parking privileges should said person fail to comply with the regulations.

Parking

  • Parking is based on a first come basis.
  • Parking is limited to one vehicle per space, motorcycles and scooters excepted.
  • Overnight parking for guests should be cleared through Campus Security.
  • Disabled parking spaces are restricted to those vehicles displaying a valid state disabled parking permit. Violations will result in a fine of $100.00 for each occurrence.
  • No parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
  • No parking in a fire lane as designated by a red curb or signage.
  • No parking within 30 feet of an approaching stop sign.
  • Reserved parking is designated for Faculty, Visitors and Staff use and is not for student use.
  • Visitor parking spaces are reserved for those visiting the campus and not for use by students or employees.
  • Loading zones are reserved for loading and unloading and not for general parking. Parking in a loading zone in excess of 30 minutes unless active loading and unloading is occurring, is considered a violation.
  • FIRs residents, when parking in the FIRs parking lot, will park only in spaces assigned to FIRs parking. No FIRs resident will park more than 2 vehicles in the FIRs parking lot at any given time.
  • Student Apartment dwellers will park only in the spaces allocated for student apartment occupants. They may not park in spaces assigned to FIRs occupants.
  • Northwest University employees or students will not park on the nearby neighborhood streets. Specifically, on 114th Avenue Northeast south of Northeast 53rd Street and on Northeast 53rd Street west of 114th Avenue Northeast. Parking in these areas is a breach of our neighborhood agreement and could result in a fine or impound. Violators that reside in campus housing may be evicted.
  • There will be no storage of vehicles, trailers, campers, boats, etc. on the Northwest University campus. Resident student vehicles must be removed from all campus parking lots when the student is not living in residence at the university. Stored vehicles are subject to being towed from the campus at the owner’s expense.

PARKING PERMIT INFORMATION

INFRACTIONS

Campus Security may issue both parking and traffic infractions. Both written and oral warnings may also be given. There is not a fine associated with a warning infraction. There is a fine associated with the parking and traffic infractions; fine amounts are listed in the fine schedule. The violation will be listed on the infraction. The amount of the fine is not listed on the infraction. The fine schedule is progressive in nature. Driving records are kept by Security. The record of the number of infractions issued is used to assess the amount of the fine which is determined by the fine schedule listed in this document. The fine amount is added to the student’s account by the accounting department. This charge will be listed on your student account billing statement.

How to take care of a infraction/citation.

FINE SCHEDULE

Parking Violations

  • First citation $10.00
  • Second citation $25.00
  • Third and subsequent citations $50.00

Exceptions

    • Parking in a Disabled parking space $100.00
    • Failure to exhibit a current parking permit $ 50.00 and vehicle will be towed.
    • Student Apartment and Firs residents cited for parking on neighborhood streets including 53 rd and 114th
      • First offense $ 20.00
      • Second offense $ 50.00
      • Third and subsequent offenses $100.00 and eviction.

TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

Reckless driving, speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign, failing to yield to a pedestrian, or any other dangerous maneuver may result in a fine up to $75 per occurrence plus community service or revocation of campus driving privileges.

TOWING POLICY

Vehicles may be towed as listed below:

  • The vehicle is not displaying a current parking permit.
  • The vehicle is parked improperly or in a restricted location.
  • The vehicle creates a safety hazard. (Example, the vehicle may be parked in a fire lane, a disabled parking space, on the sidewalk, in an unsafe condition, on jacks or blocks, etc.)
  • The vehicle appears abandoned, “A Notice to Tow ” has been placed on the vehicle and after a reasonable length of time (14 days) the vehicle remains on campus.
  • The vehicle is parked on campus, the owner/responsible is unknown and Security is unable to determine who is responsible for the vehicle.
  • Towing or moving the vehicle is necessary to facilitate a University related activity, owner contact attempts are negative and/or the owner refuses to move the vehicle in a reasonable amount of time. Lack of a displayed current parking permit may make it impossible to identify the responsible individual(s). A vehicle not displaying a parking permit may be towed.

Vehicles are towed from the Northwest University properties at the owner’s expense, including storage fees. Towing signs are posted on the campus listing the towing company and a contact telephone number. The University currently uses the services of “Mac’s Towing”; telephone number (425) 822-2800. The towing notice is approx. 5-8 inches in size, red in color and states “NOTICE TO TOW VEHICLE”. For questions and clarification, please call Campus Security at (425) 889-5500.

SUSPENSION OF CAMPUS DRIVING/PARKING PRIVIEGES

Driving/parking on campus is a privilege. Indivduals who continue to disregard parking rules, stop signs, and speed limits may be assigned community service or have their campus driving/parking privileges suspended. Commuters who are suspended will be allowed to enter the campus on 110th Way Northeast from Northeast 53rd Street only, and park behind the gym. Residents must park their vehicles behind the gym for the duration of their suspension. If a vehicle belonging to a suspended driver is found anywhere else on campus it may be towed immediately at the owner’s expense.