Rationale
As previously stated, traffic Traffic flow is directly correlated with accident rates. To prevent accidents and increase safety, Bethel University has instituted a number of traffic regulations. The following policy seeks to policies outline pedestrian safety as it relates to roadways, speed limits, intersections, right of way, and roadway fire codes.
Pedestrian Safety
Bethel University is a pedestrian safe-zone. Drivers need to be aware must maintain awareness of pedestrians , giving them and yield the right-of-way at all times.
Speed Limit
The posted speed limit for Bethel University is 20 miles per hour.
Unsignalized
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Intersections
No, that's not a typo - intersections on campus are unsignalizeded. This means each intersection along Bethel Drive is either unregulated or regulated by stop signs, as opposed to being controlled by a traffic lights. We expect drivers to light. Drivers must observe state law for all stop signs and intersections.
Roadway Fire Code & Fire Lanes
Bethel Drive has an average width of 13’. This is large enough to allow for two-way traffic.
Due to the width of the roadway, parking is not allowed on either side of the road to ensure space for possible emergency vehicle usage. However, Bethel University has special permission from the presiding Fire Marshal to allow parking on only one side of the road and only in certain areas. Areas that are too narrow to allow any parking on the side of the road will be adequately posted with signs to ensure community understanding and following of this regulation.
Moving Violations
If at anytime a vehicle is being operated in a reckless and dangerous way, Safety & Security reserves the right to pull that vehicle over through the use of our emergency lights and sirens. Drivers not yielding to the use of emergency lights may be penalized with a fine and/or possible barring from campus., but is not wide enough to accomodate parking along the roadway. For more on parking spaces, no parking areas, and fire lanes, please see Campus Parking Regulations.
Moving Violations and Enforcement - Careless Driving
To support the rationale above, vehicle conduct on campus must comply with state and local regulations concerning careless driving. Local regulations may also be enforced on campus by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department, and an infraction of these laws is a misdemeanor offense.
Vehicles observed by Safety and Security staff to be operating in a careless or reckless manner will incur a citation for Careless Driving, in accordance with the Fee Schedule. Students incurring more than one offense for Careless Driving may also be referred to the Office of Student Life for further disciplinary action. Examples of careless or reckless driving include, but are not limited to:
- Towing an object(s) or person(s) behind a vehicle, especially on a snow sled, skis/snowboards, or similar.
- Carrying persons in the bed of a truck, on a roof, or in a manner other than intended by the vehicle manufacturer.
- Driving off-road - either on grass/dirt or paved walking paths.
- Failure to yield to a pedestrian.
- Exceeding the campus speed limit.
- Failure to yield at an intersection
Prohibited Vehicles
Bethel University prohibits the use and possession of the following motor vehicles on campus:
- All-Terrain Vehicles, Utility Terrain Vehicles, and Golf Carts (except by authorized personnel for University business)
- Motorized boats
- Snowmobiles
- Jet-skies
- Minibikes
- Not street legal dirt bikes