University of Utah trustees approve new rules for skateboarders

Skateboarders riding dangerously on the University of Utah campus could be subject to a $100 fine under new rules approved by the school's board of trustees Tuesday.

The school will also launch a safety campaign and assign additional police officers to patrol those using bikes, rollerblades, scooters and skateboards on campus.

The changes bar riding in roads and parking lots, roadways, walls and benches, or faster than 10 mph. They come after university police reported an increasing number of problems with riders, especially people taking TRAX up to campus and riding down the hill.

In one case, communication professor Leonard Hawes was seriously injured about a year ago in a collision with a skateboarder on campus that appeared intentional.

The safety campaign, called Sidewalks Are For Everyone, or SAFE, will roll out when school starts Aug. 26.

"Safety ambassadors across campus will reward people for safe behavior, hand out educational brochures and report dangerous behavior," according to a U. press release.

The U.'s Academic Senate originally approved a plan to ban skateboards on campus outright, but later reconsidered. The body will review the policy later in the year.

The revised policy gives violators a written warning for their first offense. On the second, their device will be impounded and they will be fined $100. For each subsequent violation the rider will be subject to more expensive fines and a 30-day impound of their device.

lwhitehurst@sltrib.com

Twitter: @lwhitehurst