Parking Services Launches Campus-Wide Discussion about Technology Distractions

What happens when you open a conversation about texting and driving? Depending on the audience, the topic may elicit confessions, expressions of frustration, anger or fear, and stories of near misses and tragic accidents.

Since Bearcats Bound Orientation, Parking Services has partnered with First Year Experience and Learning Communities to sponsor activities promoting conversation around the topic of technology distractions, tied to the 2016-2017 Common Read, A Deadly Wandering, by Matt Richtel. Efforts have included introducing the book to parents during Orientation, promoting a Pledge to Limit Technology Distractions to first-year students during Welcome Weekend, and a texting-and-walking obstacle course open to all students on National Student Day. 

On Nov. 1, Parking Services launched new messages to include the wider university community. Printed sleeves on parking garage arms alert drivers to the Pledge to Limit Technology Distractions. In additions, viewers are urged to comment on a moving texting-and-driving video on the Parking Services home page. To date, the powerful video has prompted dozens of reflective comments from students, faculty and staff, and Pledge-takers now number over 500.

As an incentive for those who join the discussion, monthly prizes will be awarded in random drawings. In addition, participation in monthly activities earn chances for a grand prize of free parking to be awarded at the end of spring semester. One student will win a free semester of parking and a faculty or staff member will win three months of free parking. 

New activities will be posted to uc.edu/parking at the beginning of each month, Dec. - April.

uc.edu/parking