New parking available for OU fans

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Okla. -- As the college football season nears, Coach Stoops pepped up the crowd at the Big Red Rally Friday.

As fans get ready to cheer in Norman, they'll be reminded Saturday the parking rules have changed since the last season.

As the 80,000 fans are expected to fill the stadium area, Norman Police Department will be there to remind commuters to abide by the new parking rules.

"If you could fit there, you could park there," Capt. Matt Praizner said.

The officers said they have good reason to enforce the new rules.

With cars parked on both sides of some streets in Norman, the passage becomes too narrow for emergency vehicles.

"We couldn't get an ambulance down the middle of the street to get to an emergency," Praizner said.

If fans break the parking rules, they can expect to pay a ticket of $5 to $50. Officers said commuters can still park at the Lloyd Noble center, the Duck Pond, the Weather Center and south of the Duck Pond on Lindsey Street.

"It's safety first and enjoyment later," Praizner said. "We're hoping we can accomplish a little bit of both."