Experts In This Article
- Michael T. Gibson, Esq., Lead Attorney & President at Michael T. Gibson, P.A., Auto Justice Attorney, Catastrophic Injuries Expert and Licensed for 17 years
- Todd Curtin Esq., Partner & Lead Trial Attorney at Michael T. Gibson, P.A., Auto Justice Attorney and Licensed for 8 years
- Amit Jhalli, Esq. Attorney at Michael T. Gibson, P.A., Auto Justice Attorney, Personal Injury Pre-suit Investigation & Brain Injury Expert and Licensed for 9 years
This page features the answers to common questions about campus safety, accidents and injuries. If you have additional question please call us today at 407-422-4529.
What are some of the most common accidents on college campuses?
- Slip and falls on icy sidewalks, areas with improper lighting and wet floors in communal areas;
- Injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists in crosswalks;
- Car crashes caused by intoxicated drivers;
- Sports-related injuries;
- Smoke inhalation from fires.
As a parent, what can I do to ensure my teen is safe while at college?
Federal law requires colleges to establish safety protocols for a variety of campus safety issues since the establishment of the Clery Act in 1990. The first thing you need to do as a parent is search for your child’s prospective school’s annual security report which should be available on the website. This document will include statistics on crime, disciplinary action and campus safety policies. Educate yourself and your child so you both know what to expect from the institution.
The next thing you need to do is come up with a list of questions for a representative from the school that you can take with you on college visits or you can speak to someone over the phone. These questions should include:
- Is alcohol and drug abuse a significant problem on campus? How do you handle violations?
- Is there a transportation service that students can use at all times?
- How does the school communicate with students in case of an emergency?
- How do you protect students in the event of a natural disaster?
- How do you protect students who live off campus?
What laws are in place to better protect my child while at college?
The Clery Act was signed as a law in 1990. The legislation requires colleges to report campus crime and disclose information on how each institution handles crime. Below are the eight provisions within the law:
- Colleges must publish an annual security report by October 1st.
- Each institution must maintain its own public crime log.
- Within this log, the institution must disclose incidents and statistics within a set area, including on-campus and near campus.
- Report incidents of these seven major crimes: criminal homicide, sexual assault, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson.
- Colleges must also issue timely warnings of crimes.
- Create and use an emergency response, notification and testing policy.
- Publish an annual fire safety report.
- Enact policies and procedures to handle reports of missing students.
What are the most common crimes to occur on a college campus?
Between 2011 and 2013, 60 percent of all crimes to occur on a college campus were burglaries. Sex offenses were the second highest-ranking crime on college campuses at 13.8 percent. Motor vehicle theft ranked third at 10.8 percent.
What are the dangers involved in alcohol consumption on college campuses?
Approximately 60 percent of college students reported drinking alcohol within the last month in a national survey. Of that 60 percent, two out of every three of them reported binge drinking during that time period. Approximately 1,800-college students die each year from alcohol-related incidents. It is also estimated that each year 97,000-college students experience alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.
What are colleges doing to prevent students from abusing alcohol?
The Department of Education enacted a law that requires colleges and universities to initiate substance abuse prevention programs to reduce the risk that students will abuse alcohol while in college. The program, which was enacted in 1994, is called the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. It is also geared towards reducing violence rates on college campuses and communities.
What penalties do bars and nightclubs face for serving minors alcohol in Florida?
Vendors can face up to 60 days in jail for giving, selling or permitting the service of alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21. They may also face a $500 fine and court costs.
How many college students drink and drive?
A study conducted by the University of Maryland School of Public Health showed that one in five college students admitted to drinking and driving. The study also revealed that more than 40 percent of college students have admitted to riding as a passenger with a drunk driver.
Ask Us Your College Campus Safety Questions
If you have questions about any of the college campus safety questions listed on this page or your accident case please call us right now at 407-422-4529. The consultation is free and we want to get the best possible results for your injury case.