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Park smart: Parking violations on the rise

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  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Some things that go up are great news -- the stock market, our paychecks and production numbers.

Here on Tinker there is something going up that's not great news -- parking violations. We have seen a spike in multiple violations for individuals. Several personnel on Tinker are now walking for one year after accumulating seven, eight or nine parking tickets.

Prohibited parking around the installation is a safety and security issue that has the potential to severely affect mission essential capabilities. For example parking in a fire lane or blocking a fire hydrant could cause significant problems for our fire department when responding to a fire. Ambulances are wider than most vehicles; illegally parking on both sides of a road where prohibited could cause a delay in response, possibly costing an Airman or family member their life. Every second counts when our first responders are on the job.

Here is a list of parking do's and don'ts on Tinker:
· Parking spaces are designated by white stripes with an 8-foot void in-between. Areas not marked specifically for parking or marked with cross-hatch or horizontal lines of any color are considered "no parking."
· Parking on the grass is prohibited, unless otherwise posted.
· Parking in a reserved parking space by any person whose vehicle does not bear the appropriate parking decal/placard is prohibited.
· Any vehicle parked without authorization in an area restricted due to force protection measures will be towed at the owner's/operator's expense and may subject the driver to immediate suspension of driving privileges.
· Smaller width spaces are for motorcycles when noted. More than one motorcycle is allowed to park in the same space to maximize parking.
· And finally, narrow white lines on the ends of rows are for large vehicle turning clearance.

We take parking violations seriously on Tinker and you should too. To ensure the safety and security of all Airmen, civilians and missions on Tinker we have documented penalties:

· Each parking violation carries a 2-point penalty (AFI 31-218(I) Table 5-2)
· Accruing 12 points within 12 consecutive months constitutes a 1 year driving suspension and 18 points within 24 consecutive months constitutes a one year driving suspension (AFI 31-218(I) sec. 5-4(f))
· Handicap Parking Violations: first offense; 30-day suspension (Tinker Supplement 31-218, 4.8.31.1)
· Other parking violations can be found in Tinker Supplement 31-218, 4.8.31.2 - 4.8.31.7 on the homepage.

Third violation within 12 months: 30-day suspension.
Fourth violation within 12 months: 60-day suspension.
Fifth violation within 12 months: 90-day suspension.
Sixth violation within 12 months: 180-day suspension.
Seventh violation within 12 months: One-year suspension.

If you believe a parking area is mis-marked or its original purpose is no longer needed, call the 72nd ABW Civil Engineering Directorate at 734-9797 to possibly recycle the area into useable parking space.

Do your part to follow the parking rules on Tinker. If you see violations contact your building parking warden for enforcement. Thanks Team Tinker.
Drive and park safe!