Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Motor Vehicle Driver Policy TOWN MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVER POLICY Eligibility for Drivers to Operate Town Vehicles. One of the most important concerns of Town administration relative to Town-owned vehicles is the safety of its employees, the potential damage to Town vehicles, and the damage that can be done to the property of others. This activity has the greatest potential to cause severe injury and damage. It is the objective of this policy to design a driver selection and renewal system that is meaningful and realistic. This policy is designed for employees driving Town vehicles and for those using their own vehicles on behalf of the Town. Each driver driving a Town vehicle must understand that as a result of vehicle accidents, recent court decisions have assessed punitive damages and/or criminal prosecution under the concept of “negligent entrustment” (permitting unsafe drivers to operate corporate vehicles). Although our objective is to help reduce the likelihood of such uninsured penalties from being assessed, we also hold most important the objective to keep our Town employees from getting hurt. Each department will have different job standards, which reflect the prerequisites and skills necessary for satisfactory performance affording the opportunity to select the right person for the position. Selecting the best available driver will avoid many future problems. The proper selection of drivers necessitates that various areas be carefully examined. Therefore, the Town will, at a minimum, mandate Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) checks for consideration of all new employees whose positions necessitate driving Town vehicles. At their discretion, department heads may request additional checks for all employees currently driving Town vehicles. This investigation shall be done to ascertain that all employees have a valid license and a good indication of potential ability to drive safely. MVR checks shall be performed by the Southold Police Department. The Hiring Department Head shall oversee implementation of this policy. Additionally, each department may wish to consider additional criteria relative to driver selection and/or retention, such as job analyses, medical examinations, drug screening and testing (mandatory for those employees whose positions require CDL licenses), road and/or written tests and driving performance evaluations. Department heads are responsible for ensuring any additional requirements are met and that MVR checks are performed. The importance of proper driver selection, and the undesirable results which follow when a thorough job is not done, cannot be overemphasized. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including discharge based on the facts of each case. Specific criteria for any department shall be approved by the Town Board and the Town Attorney before implementation. Operator Policy. 1. To operate a vehicle of any type, an individual must have an appropriate, valid operator’s license. 2. Every employee who operates a Town owned motor vehicle is required to report suspension or revocation of his/her license to his/her department head. Failure of an employee to report any change in license status will result in disciplinary action. 3. Operators of Town owned motor vehicles must report parking fines or other violation charges and payment thereof to their supervisor. All such fines and charges are to be paid promptly at the time they are incurred and are the responsibility of the vehicle operator. Excessive violations may be cause for the temporary or permanent revocation of authority to operate a town owned motor vehicle. 4. Operators must use a Town owned motor vehicle only for Town business and within the scope of the operator’s employment/authority. 5. Operating a Town owned motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. 6. Operators must observe all traffic laws, including but not limited to the following: (a) Speeds must be kept within the limits, which are reasonably prudent for the existing driving conditions. (b) Operators along with their passengers must wear safety belts. 7. Department Heads shall not allow any unauthorized person to drive a Town owned motor vehicle. 8. Original accident reports involving Town vehicles with a copy of the police report must be submitted to the Town Attorney within forty-eight (48) hours of an accident. 9. Smoking is prohibited in Town owned motor vehicles. 10. Texting while driving is prohibited in Town owned motor vehicles. 11. Operating a cellular device without the use of a hands free device is prohibited in Town owned motor vehicles. 12. Before operating a Town owned motor vehicle, the operator is responsible for checking that the vehicle is in good operating condition and that all necessary safety equipment and control devices are in good condition. If the operator has any concerns about the safety or operation of the vehicle, their concerns should be reported to their supervisor. Use of Town Owned Motor Vehicles: Town owned motor vehicles shall be parked at sites owned, leased, or controlled by the Town unless the vehicle is used for commuting. Town owned motor vehicles shall be parked off the public street in a reasonably secure setting when used during business hours or when taken home by a commuter. Personal use of a Town owned motor vehicle by an authorized employee is allowable, but only if the use is de minimus. (a) De minimus use pertains to the incidental personal use of a Town owned motor vehicle during the operator’s travel on Town business; e.g., stopping briefly at a bank for personal reasons that is on the route of travel to or from work. Under Internal Revenue Service regulations, “de minimus” means “the value is so small as to make the accounting for it unreasonable or administratively impractical.” Motor Vehicle Disciplinary Policy: Employees of the Town are expected to comply with all safety requirements whether established by the Town or by federal, state, or local law. A copy of the applicant’s or the employee’s driving record will be obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles for evaluation before he or she is allowed to operate a Town vehicle. Based on accident/violation history, an individual’s driving records becomes questionable if one or more of the following exists: (a) Three (3) or more accidents reportable by law to the Department of Motor Vehicles (regardless of fault) in the last three (3) years. (b) One (1) or more Type A violations in the past three (3) years. Type A violations: DWI (driving while intoxicated), DWAI (driving while ability impaired), Negligent homicide, Operating a vehicle during a period of suspension, Aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, Reckless driving, Permitting an unlicensed person to drive, Hit and run. c) Any combination of accidents and Type B violations, which total three (3) or more in the last three (3) years. Type B violations: Any moving violation, other than listed above, Tailgating offense, Failure to appear in court If the applicant’s or the employee’s driving record is questionable, the Department Head will review with the Human Resources, Town Attorney and Town Board, who will make a determination to accept or not accept the applicant, or in the case of an employee, invoke discipline up to an including automatic termination.