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Finding a parking spot on campus can make your day, but getting into that spot is another story on our campus of steep slopes.
We’ve all seen people struggling to get into a tight parking spot, switching gears, inching or maybe lurching forward, and then creeping back. Meanwhile, the pressure builds as a row of cars impatiently waits for this ordeal to end. It’s pitiful to watch from a pedestrian’s point of view and frustrating from a driver’s point of view.
Two things can happen next: The car either successfully parks the car after the 20-point turn or the likely alternative is that the driver accidentally gives the parked car to their rear a friendly tap, then speeds away, hoping no one notices.
Many times, it’s the latter. It’s sad but true. Hit-and-runs are common at Pepperdine.
Although the scenario sounds comical, the situation and its frequency is quite grave. Mini car collisions occur on a regular basis on campus, and it’s about time someone speaks up.
Granted, it would be best not to hit other cars while parking, but when it does happen, students seem to handle the situation poorly. Fleeing is the worst decision, yet many offenders take this option. Since so many students seem to be unaware of the proper thing to do in situations like this, here are a few friendly reminders:
Do not leave the scene, otherwise known as that parking spot you have spent the last hour searching for. It is illegal to hit a car and then takeoff, and offenders can be arrested for the offense. Remember when Halle Berry was convicted for a hit-and-run in 2000? It made national news, and even though she didn’t serve time behind bars, Berry got off by paying a hefty fine of more than $13,000 and serving 200 hours of community service. Don’t think that Public Safety will let you off easy.
Also, the small scratch or dent might not be a big deal to you, but it’s a big deal to the other person, especially if you hit a shiny new Mercedes Benz, which is highly probable.
In addition, everyone sees you doing it. The people staring and wondering what your next move will be, are not going to forget about this and will talk about it the second they get to class. Although you didn’t avoid hitting the car, you can avoid being labeled as the hit-and-run girl or guy.
“What goes around comes around.” This old adage speaks volumes, particularly if the driver of the other vehicle finds out who gave his car a love tap. It is not a good feeling to come back to your car from a long day of classes just to find that someone bumped into your ride. Try to avoid being hunted down by other students.
The proper thing to do is to put your car in park and get out of your car. Don’t mind the traffic you’re causing on Seaver Drive or the honking horns because everyone is probably late for class already. Pull out a piece of paper and a pen, jotting down your name and number with a nice apology, and then you’re on your way.
Just find a new parking spot because you obviously can’t get in this one. Don’t forget to wave to the angry students with an apologetic smile on your way out.
The law school or the Fieldhouse parking lots are more practical options for you.
Some people don’t leave notes because they don’t want to deal with the consequences of hitting another vehicle, but take these reminders into consideration next time you ram a fellow student’s car. Parking is a bad enough problem. Let’s not make it a dangerous also. Do the right thing, leave a note.
Submitted 11-10-2005
MALIBU, CA
