Tips
Want to know the best lots to park in or how to stay safe while driving? Read the following tips below, which will help you become a safer and smarter driver.
Back-To-School Parking | Parking Safety | Personal Safety |
Car Supplies
Back-to-School Parking
Check out these tips to find the best places to park and get around campus:
- Arrive early so you can have plenty of time to find parking and find your class.
- Park in the Thomas & Mack Center parking lot on the southwest side of campus or the Cottage Grove parking garage. These two areas will be your best bet for finding available parking.
- Hop on a free air-conditioned shuttle to get from your car to a more convenient drop point around campus.
- Avoid driving on Maryland Parkway. There is limited parking between University Road and Cottage Grove Avenue. Space in Lots D, E, and U is limited. Pedestrian and local traffic also make this area congested.
- Wear comfortable shoes. There is plenty of parking on campus, but the majority of spots are along the perimeter of the university.
- Purchase your UNLV parking permit. All vehicles on campus are required to have a permit.
Parking Safety
Keep the following in mind when parking your car or walking to your parked car:
- Always park in lighted areas.
- Double-check to see that all car doors and windows are secure; lock your car and take the keys with you.
- Do not go out alone, especially at night.
- Carry small loads at a time, keeping arms free for movement.
- Have your keys readily available.
- As you approach your vehicle, observe it. Look around the vehicle. Look into the front and back seats before unlocking the door.
- Lock the door as soon as you are safely in your vehicle.
- Never hitchhike, and never pick up a hitchhiker.
- Keep your vehicle in good repair.
- Never let your gas gauge get below one-quarter of a tank.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Walk with confidence.
Personal Safety
Here are some helpful tips for drivers:
- Keep car keys and house keys on separate rings. Never have an identification tag such as a miniature license or nameplate on your key ring. This only helps the thief locate your car should your keys be lost or stolen.
- Never hide an extra car key under the hood or wheel well; criminals know where to look for hidden keys.
- Carry a spare key with you.
- Do not keep your vehicle registration inside your car. Carry it with you, perhaps with your driver's license.
- Record the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), registration, and license plate number, and keep them in a safe place. Also, attach a photograph of your vehicle.
- Carry insurance.
- Secure valuables and parcels in your trunk. If your car does not have a trunk, make sure parcels are not left in plain view inside your car.
- Avoid bumper stickers that might antagonize individuals or groups.
- Travel on main streets and highways as much as possible.
- Drive to the nearest police station or populated area and sound the horn for help if you feel you are being followed.
- Do not stop if you see a disabled vehicle or suspicious person. Drive to a nearby telephone and inform the police of the vehicle's location. If you are on campus, use one of the emergency phones, which are identified with a blue light on top.
- Include the name and phone number of your emergency contact in your cell phone book under ICE (In Case of Emergency) so rescue personnel will have emergency contact information.
Car Supplies
Read our suggestions of helpful items you should keep in your car.
- Four-way lug wrench with leverage pipe, and tire iron or screwdriver to remove hubcap
- A good jack, preferable hydraulic, and the knowledge to use it
- Aerosol canister for inflating tires (such as Fix-a-flat)
- A change of clothing
- Cellular phone
- Cell phone charger for use in your car
- Good spare tire, to be checked regularly
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Road flares
- Jumper cables
- Blanket
- Map/atlas
- Water (for both your automobile and you)