The first extended school break in months is coming, which means a deluge of students are chomping at the bit to get out of town.
But there are several things students should know for the break to ensure the best possible traveling experience.
Most silver and purple parking lots on campus will not be enforced for parking permits said Robert Mitchell, information specialist in Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) at the University of Idaho. He said an academic break overnight parking map is available on the PTS website, which shows parking lots that will not be enforced by tickets.
Mitchell encouraged people who leave their cars on campus to keep them locked and hide any valuables to prevent theft.
“The Moscow Police Department (MPD) will be doing extra patrols, but it does get dark in parts of campus,” Mitchell said. “Best not to have anything worth stealing in plain view.”
Corporal Casey Green of the MPD said students should take note of the possessions in their dorm rooms or apartments and communicate with their roommates to lock doors and windows. He said after break, there is typically an uptick in theft reports.
“Usually break is a calm time,” Green said “What comes after break is usually more interesting.”
When it comes to prepping for the road trip, Mitchell said students should check the weather for snow and plan an appropriate route. He said students should also make sure their car is in good working order.
“If you haven’t really driven your car lately, don’t wait until you have it loaded up with stuff when you’re going home to try and start it,” Mitchell said. “So when it’s time to take off and go home you’re not faced with a dead battery or a flat tire.”
There is usually an increase in requests for jump starts as students leave for break, but Mitchell said PTS can only do so many at one time. Green said students should drive their cars beforehand and check the lights, windshield wipers, tires and gas levels.
Once on the road, Green said students should practice safe driving skills. He suggested students not play with the radio or streaming devices, because it is distracting. He said talking with a phone up to their ear is also distracting, and is illegal in Washington. Texting and driving is illegal in both Idaho and Washington.
Green said there will be increased law enforcement patrols on highways during the break, especially going west into Washington and around southern Idaho.
“Not because we’re looking for more targets, just because we know there’s more people moving around, so we’re there to help them if they need help,” Green said.
Green and Mitchell said students should allow themselves extra time to get where they’re going. Green said driving fatigued can be dangerous and the extra time gives students a chance to pull over and take a nap if they need to. Mitchell said the extra time allows for issues with the weather or the car.
“For safety, it’s just like parking — the more time you allow yourself to find a parking space before you have to be in class the better,” Mitchell said. “Same thing with your trip home.”
Jack Olson can be reached at [email protected]