Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire
Department of Transportation

Policies And Procedures

DRIVER/DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1.          Only trained and certified drivers will be allowed to drive the vehicles.
a.                    Minimum age of driver for shuttle and Safe Rides will be 18.
b.                   Minimum age of driver for trips over 50 miles will be 21.
c.                    Driver should have a minimum of two years driving experience.
d.                   A violation check should reveal no more than one moving violation within the last 12 months.
e.                    No violations or traffic stops related to alcohol.
f.                     Successful completion of a Defensive Driver training program within the past two years.
g.                   A road test with a designated driver/trainer within the last 12 months.
h.                   Possess a valid driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle being driven.
i.                     An inexperienced driver should be given practice operating the van under the supervision of a
                trainer driver prior to being allowed use of the van.
j.                     Drivers are not permitted to consume alcoholic beverages 12 hours prior to driving or while
                responsible for the vehicle.
k.                    Drivers are not permitted to injest, inject or consume any illegal drugs at any time or legally
                prescribed drugs that would impede the safe operation of the vehicle.

2.          Drivers should be responsible for inspecting the vehicle prior to leaving the parking site.
a.                    Any defects should be noted and brought to the attention of Transportation prior to departure.
b.                   All equipment and luggage carried should be secured inside the vehicle in a safe manner.
c.                    Weather conditions will be evaluated by Campus Safety and travel will be curtailed when
                conditions are hazardous.
                (This includes but is not limited to fog, heavy rain, snow, ice, high winds, etc.)
d.                   Trailers are prohibited except for Crew Team.  The operator must be 21 years of age or older.
e.                    Roof mounted loads are prohibited.

3.          There should be a suitable number of drivers for the trip, based on the distance being driven.
a.                    There should be one driver for every 400 miles being driven.
b.                   No more than eight hours of continuous driving should be allowed in one day.
c.                    It is recommended a driver should rest at least a half-hour for every two consecutive hours of
                driving to reduce fatigue.
d.                   It is recommended that driving between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. be limited.
e.                    Drivers are not allowed to use a cell-phone while the vehicle is in motion.

4.           Passengers should adhere to the following rules:
a.                    All passengers should wear seat belts at all times while traveling.
b.                   Passengers should use only seats equipped with seat belts.
c.                    No alcohol or drugs should be consumed or allowed in vehicles.
d.                   Vehicles should not be overloaded.

5.           Other safety considerations.
a.                    Vehicle headlights should be on when driving.
b.                   Drivers should not drive a vehicle that is not operating properly.
c.                    Drivers must obey all traffic regulations, including posted speed limits.
d.                   Vehicles should be limited to no more than 10 passengers (despite being 15-passenger vans, the
                maximum number of passengers should be 10).
e.                    Tires should be properly inflated based on the load carried.

ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REVIEW POLICY

1.                    Any incident involving a College vehicle must be reported to Campus Safety immediately.  This includes any motor vehicle accident (regardless of lack of damage), any traffic or parking violation received or any damage noted to a College vehicle, regardless of whether the cause is known or unknown.

2.                    The reporting person should complete a “Voluntary Statement” form at Campus Safety detailing the accident or incident including the following:
·         Day, date and time
·         Location (be specific)
·         Make, model and plate number of all vehicles involved
·         Names and phone numbers of any passengers and witnesses
·         How the incident occurred
·         Name and department of any emergency personnel responding

3.                    The Director of Campus Safety will forward the report to the College Risk Manager to determine if the
                accident or incident was avoidable. 

4.                    If an incident is determined to have been avoidable, the Risk Manager and the Director of Campus Safety
                will determine if corrective action will be taken.  The driver and the responsible supervisor or department
                head will be notified of this decision.

5.                    If it is determined that the accident or incident was avoidable, the driver may be subject to one of the following corrective actions;
·         Verbal warning
·         Written warning & review “College Vehicle Use Policies & Procedures”
·         Suspension of driving privileges for a specified time & review “College Vehicle Use Policies &
        Procedures”
·         Revocation of driving privileges- must attend an approved driver training class prior to reinstatement of
        privileges

The level of corrective action will be dependent upon the driver’s driving history and the seriousness of the incident.

6.                    Appeals for suspension or revocation must be submitted to the Director of Campus Safety, in writing, within 7 days of the action.  The Director of Campus Safety and the Director of Human Resources will review appeals.  The appellant will be notified within 14 business days of the decision.

7.             In addition to corrective action, the department utilizing the vehicle will be charged for any repairs not covered by insurance.  Cost of repairs will be billed separately from the mileage invoice.

VEHICLE PICK-UP AND RETURN

1.            Vehicle keys and a requisition form must be picked up at Campus Safety at St. Peters.  Keys will not be issued prior to the requested pick-up time.

2.             Only the authorized driver may pick-up the keys. 

3.             The driver must show a valid driver's license at the time the keys are signed out.  Anyone operating a

College vehicle must have a valid driver's license in his/her possession at all times.

4.             It is the responsibility of the driver to complete the driver’s section of the requisition, noting starting and ending mileage, fuel levels and vehicle condition.            

5.                    When picking up a van the assigned driver must park their personal vehicle in the same numbered space as the van he/she is using.

6.             Upon return to campus, stop at Campus Safety to have the van inspected by the officer on duty.

7.                    The vehicle must be returned to the appropriate parking area behind Facilities.  Upon return the van must be backed into the same assigned space.

8.                    Vehicle keys and the completed requisition form will be returned to Campus Safety at St.    Peters immediately upon completion of the trip.

STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND COMPLIANCE