Traffic tickets raise student ire

Central State University police are issuing more traffic citations spring semester, and students are unhappy.

“I understand that speeding and running stop signs are against the rules, but a warning here and there would be great,” senior Bryon Harvey said.

Central State Police Chief Stephanie Hill said the department issues plenty of warnings, including several hundred during fall term alone. However, she said the department must also issue citations to make sure that students understand the importance of traffic safety.

“We crack down on speeding, reckless driving, and running stop signs because those three can cause some serious accidents,” Hill said. “We are targeting accident prevention violations.”

Hill believes that issuing more traffic citations will result in fewer traffic violations in the future, because students will not want to continue paying high fines. “Moving violation fines, such as speeding or disregarding a stop sign, range from $75-$100,” Hill said.

Many students disagree with Hill. They believe that traffic citations are out of control. “One hundred dollars is way too expensive for an infraction,” Harvey said. Harvey said that he was issued two traffic citations this semester, costing him a total of $185.

Chief Hill said students would pay more for fines off campus. “They could lose their license outside of campus for these infractions,” she said.

By Reggie Gibson