Every morning, many students line up to claim their spot in the school parking lot – but are they following the rules? With growing concerns about speeding and enforcement, our own Aliso Niguel High school lot has a set of rules and safety regulations that aren’t always followed.
The lot has a speed limit of about 15 miles per hour to ensure safety since there is a ton of traffic in between the beginning and end of the day.
Hallie Lewengrub (12) who parks in the lot daily says, “There’s so much traffic with people’s eagerness to leave.”
Cars without visible permits may be ticketed and violation of these rules (parking in the wrong spot, not having a permit) carry consequences.
Laura Pasqua, a school proctor, claims, “Some kids don’t even have a parking pass or have a fake one and some move their cars during lunch.”
Students without parking passes are encouraged to park on the hill outside the main lot. Also, Students are not allowed to sit in their vehicles or move their cars during lunchtime as it is a violation of safety.
Consequences for these may include, as Pasqua says, “First and second times a warning; third time is a trip to the office.”
While some may be disrespectful of the rules, many students have gone out of their way to complete the parking permit process early, showing responsibility and awareness about campus safety policies. Several students expressed that they’re not against the rules themselves, but wish there was more clarity or fairness in enforcement – showing they’re engaged and care about how systems work
The permit must be clearly visible on the vehicle- often hung from the rear view mirror- where it could be purchased in the office for around $100 dollars. To get the permit, students fill out an application and provide vehicle/license info. Students are not allowed to park in staff-designated spots. If they do, they can receive tickets.
Even those who disagree with some policies acknowledge that the rules are implemented for safety.
There have been a couple incidents this year in the parking lot, Lewengun mentions, “Two cars just bumping into each other.”
Cell phone use in the parking lot has raised safety concerns among staff. Sometimes students may use their potholes while driving in or out of the lot, which can be a dangerous distraction. But not only students, but parents as well. Many parents have been seen distracted and on their phones which could be very dangerous to passing students walking.
Also cleverly said by Pasqua, “It used to be mascara, now it’s cell phones.”
As Aliso Niguel High School continues to grow, maintaining safety in the student parking lot remains a shared responsibility. While staff work to enforce rules, students play their part by following guidelines and speaking up about various concerns. With continued communication and cooperation between students and staff, the school can proceed to create a safer and more organized parking experience for everyone.
