Drivers And Park Tower Parkers – Please drive safely inside and outside the garage, and coming and going from the driveway.

The speed limit in the garage is 5mph, and sadly a quick review of surveillance shows its pretty obvious not many drivers obey that limit.

Why 5mph? There are too many close corners and intersections where visibility is limited…and this is not necessarily just about seeing other drivers. It is about our staff and other parkers and pedestrians walking in the garage (and the driveway too), and coming out from behind vehicles. It’s just too easy for the worst to happen, if you are not going slow and have time to react, say if a child runs out from behind a parked vehicle.

Other things you can do? Please check your mirrors, as well as the strategically located Garage mirrors at intersections, to help you stay aware of your surroundings

Use your headlights to help improve visibility at all times.

Stop at ALL stop signs, inside and outside of the garage for at least three seconds, and until you ensure you can proceed safely.

Avoid being a distracted driver! Keep your eyes on your route and surroundings. Avoid using your phone while driving, playing loud music, or being distracted by other media or materials.

Never drive under the influence!

Do not give into road rage!

Be a defensive and vigilant driver…if there is any question at all be proactive, and do what the situation may call for. Slow down, don’t proceed, stop, pull over…whatever may promote a safe outcome.

And State of Illinois law applies as well, in our driveways and even within the PT Parking Garage. So, remember the “Rules of the Road”: State of Illinois Rules of the Road

ALSO – Please feel free to report any observations of unsafe driving practices to the Management Office and Garage Office. Include date, time, vehicle description, location, etc… We will investigate and formally warn parkers that do not operate their vehicle safely, or otherwise violate garage or other relevant Park Tower policies. Parkers who repeatedly violate any such rules, such as driving past the allowable speed limit or not stopping at signs, will lose parking privileges.

Also, here are some additional points for promoting a safe Garage environment.

Vehicles leaking gas or oil may not be parked in the garage – NO EXCEPTION. This is considered a safety and fire hazard. Please immediately report any such condition you may observe.

Do not keep your engine running in the Garage for an extended period of time. Excessive exhaust can cause irritation and discomfort for our staff and other parkers.

DO NOT OBSTRUCT THE DRIVEWAYS…Ever! This is not only an inconvenience to other drivers, but the curb along the Park Tower side is a Fire Lane. Space is important in case there is a need for emergency vehicles. Stopping along here also reduces visibility and creates a safety issue for others coming and going. So, for example, please don’t sit at the STOP sign on your cell phone!

SMOKING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN THE GARAGE. Similarly, no one should be using matches, lighters, or other devices with open flames, etc., in the Garage. This may seem like common sense, but just this year an Owner and parker was fined $1000 after lighting a cigarette while walking through the garage and then dropping the lit cigarette on the ground…in the garage. Something you think an intelligent person would not do in the vicinity of numerous gas tanks and hundreds of gallons of gasoline. BUT, yes…it happened.

If you see anything that you feel like needs immediate attention, please let staff know immediately, and feel free to bring any questions or concern to our attention at parktowercondo-mgmt@habitat.com. If there are urgent concerns, alert a parking attendant or call the garage office at 773-271-8859, and if they are not available, the lobby front desk at 773-769-3083. During business hours the management office can also be reached at 773-769-3250.

If it is an emergency situation, such as a fire or if there is an accident, 911 should be contacted immediately.

Thanks to our Garage Manager, Scott Turton, who contributed significantly to this post.