Students have a need for speed.
The LSU Police Department issued approximately 800 traffic citations in 2011, which includes speeding and other violations, according to LSUPD spokesman Capt. Cory Lalonde.
He said the speeding tickets from campus are just like any other ticket people would receive from the Baton Rouge Police Department or other law enforcement branches.
“If you receive a ticket, you pay it through the judicial system just like any other ticket,” Lalonde said.
Lalonde said there isn’t an appeal process for speeding tickets like there is for parking tickets, but anyone can contest his or her ticket at the East Baton Rouge Parish Courthouse.
“We don’t deal with the fines,” Lalonde said. “The court does, though. There are increasing fines based on the speeds.”
Lalonde said there are no official exceptions for speeding, but there are circumstances left to the discretion of the officer issuing the ticket.
He said if an officer doesn’t deem a driver’s reason for speeding as a viable excuse, the officer will issue a citation to the driver of the vehicle.
He said the time of day, weather and location can affect the likelihood of receiving a ticket.
“There is somewhat of a grace period,” Lalonde said. “A warning may be issued instead of a ticket at times.”
He said officers may be less tolerant of speeding along West Lakeshore Drive, where joggers and other pedestrians are at risk of being injured. West Lakeshore Drive and Nicholson Drive are the two areas around campus where traffic citations are most likely to be issued, Lalonde said.
“People do not realize the speed limit is 35 mph on Nicholson Drive and 20 mph on West Lakeshore Drive,” Lalonde said.
LSUPD has not done anything in particular to crack down on speeding, Lalonde said. Traffic stops and tickets have proved to be two ways to prevent speeding and change the driver’s future behavior, he said.
Over the past two years, LSUPD has focused on controlling traffic incidents by developing a traffic division within the department, which Lalonde said enforces traffic laws.
LSUPD has not looked into the addition of speed cameras on campus, Lalonde noted.
Students, however, say speeding on campus is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Psychology freshman Billy Nguyen said there isn’t a strong enough presence of police officers controlling traffic on campus.
“I try to follow the speed limits, but I have seen many people speeding on Highland Road,” Nguyen said. “I can’t speak for all students, but I think many people do.”
This speeding has also caused international studies freshman Meaghin Woolie to feel unsafe walking around campus.
“When drivers speed on campus, there is a potential of harming pedestrians and bikers,” Woolie said. “I try to look both ways before crossing the street, but not all students are as cautious.”
 
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Contact Lauren Duhon at [email protected]