NEWSBEAT REPORTER

Nearly 2,000 towings take place every school year. Vehicles are towed the most when they are found parked in handicapped spaces, on lawns, out of their designated zones, and by yellow curbs.

Towings mainly occur during the fall, because more students are on campus.

LSU Office of Parking and Transportation director Gary Graham says the solution is straightforward.

“Don’t take chances. If you’re not sure then don’t park there,” said Graham. “The easiest thing to do is register for a permit. Park in your assigned zone between two white lines and you’ll be alright.”

LSU students are mostly the culprits. The number of towing has fluctuated slightly over the past five years. LSU freshmen Austin Hall’s car was towed three times and he says the policy may be unfair.”

“The parking lots are full. That’s our only option. I really don’t like it. It’s annoying for me,” said Hall.

Graham says they hate to punish students, but the offenders need to take responsibility for their actions

“When I have to weigh those two things, I’m sorry that you got towed, but that doesn’t change the fact that you weren’t supposed to park there,” he said.

Drivers can receive a fine of one-hundred dollars after being towed. Graham says the university actually only gets about two dollars from the fine and the rest goes to a towing company

Ten to 12 cars are towed from campus every day. After paying the fine, students may pick up their vehicle from the parking lot of the LSU department of safety building.

Illegal parking can result in harsher punishments such as suspension.