The charge for skateboarding, bicycling and rollerblading on campus should not cost more than two parking violations. Unfortunately, the fee is currently $150.
It is understandable why police ticket skateboarders. It is unsafe. Driving without a seat belt is also unsafe, but the cost for that violation ranges from $80 to $90.
In a situation that may determine life or death, the cost is $50 cheaper than a skateboarding fine.
In a situation where someone riding a skateboard needs to get past a crowded walk way; all they would have to do is jump off their skateboard.
This swift movement seems multitudes quicker and safer than braking in a car while not wearing a seatbelt during a car accident
The passenger or driver can die on impact when they hit the windshield.
In comparison to a fatal car crash, a trip and skid on concrete seems less harsh and detrimental to life.
Yet this does not seem like adequate enough information to convince campus police to lower the expensive cost of such an innocent act as skateboarding on campus.
There are several other aspects on campus that actually seem worthy of a $150 ticket.
For one, there is graffiti, which does not contribute to an appealing campus. Nor does it help students in any way.
At least students have reasons for skateboarding on campus. They are not doing it just because they want to be rebellious and leave their “sign” around camps.
Another violation that deserves a higher ticket price would be a driver’s refusal to come to a complete stop at stop signs. There are several around the parking lots and not many actually stop.
This kind of accident could put someone in the hospital if they were run over.
Students use their skateboarding skills to quickly get across campus. As college students, a quick trip across campus is very enticing because we have all experienced being late to class. And we have all had that one teacher who keeps track of absences and tardies.
The college is obviously serious about enforcing this rule if a single ticket costs more than texting while driving.
Again, this can determine whether someone lives or dies. It isn’t right to have a skateboarding ticket cost $150 and texting while driving is only $50 on the second offense.
An entire week’s pay check can be spent on a ticket. Especially when we already have to pay for tuition, books and the necessities for living.
People on skateboards are only given a warning when they are first caught but that still does not make it OK for such an overpriced ticket.