University of Tampa students fear for their cars every time they go over the speed bumps that lead in and out of the West Parking Garage.
“My car sounds like it’s gonna fall apart every time I go over them,” said junior Beth Perry.
Before the fall semester started, UT put in additional speed bumps to the entrance and exit of the garage.
“While speed bumps are not mandatory, we want everyone to drive slowly in the garages, including the exits and entries,” said Linda Devine, Vice President for Operations and Planning.
It is not known by Devine how many accidents occurred before the speed bumps were put in place.
However, “The intent was to be proactive,” said Devine.
Regardless of safety, students are unhappy with the speed bumps.
“Seriously, those things are awful and I fear for my car every time,” said junior David Messmer. “I have a fairly low riding car with mud flaps, so every time I go over them I hear this awful scraping sound.”
And the scraping sound isn’t the only thing that makes Messmer nervous; it’s going over four speed bumps in a row.
“Every time my car makes it over the bumps my car bounces, making me worry about my shocks and suspension,” said Messmer.
For senior Nick Trocchio, he noticed that the speed bumps scratched the underglow LED tubes under his silver 2008 Acura TSX.
“Those speed bumps are out of control,” said Trocchio.
One student, sophomore Chelsea Hanna, knew immediately that something was wrong with her red 2011 Toyota Corolla after she entered the parking garage.
“I turned the wheel and the tires didn’t turn with it,” said Hannah. “There was like a delayed reaction.”
As it turns out, Hannah’s alignment was off and if she wanted to get it fix, it would cost her more than what is in her college student budget.
“I was going to report it to security, but I figured the school wouldn’t do anything about it,” said Hannah. “I thought they would make me prove to them that the speed bumps ruined my alignment.”
Hannah has also noticed that the speed bumps make her car bottom out and she has scratches underneath her front bumper from them.
The university received one report from a student whose vehicle had particularly low-riding side skirts. Other than that, students have not come forward about any damages to their vehicles caused by the speed bumps.
Kathy Guvercin, a junior, always feels like the speed bumps are hitting the bottom of her car. “I think speed bumps are horrible,” said Kathy, “and obnoxious to go over. I think they should be changed to a different type.”
“The speed bumps are way too high,” said junior Kyle Denny in agreement with Guvercin.
“The plain and simple fact,” said Messmer, “is that these new speed bumps are at too steep of an angle. I don’t mind having speed bumps to prevent crazy drivers from going too fast, but these new ones are just ridiculous.”
Unfortunately for UT students, “These bumps are standard issue (not custom made) and conform to the specifications of other devices that we use,” said Devine.
The first speed bump leading into West was removed sometime last week. The bump was coming out of the ground, so instead of four speed bumps, there are now three on each side.
Though not much can be done to the other speed bumps, that hasn’t stopped students from voicing their opinions.
“They’re ridiculously unnecessary,” junior Josh Jacobs wrote via Facebook.