2.18 MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY PROGRAM
This program contains requirements for the operation of
University-owned vehicles and personal vehicles used for University business
driven more than fifteen (15) miles per month.
This program is meant to enhance, not to replace, the requirements of
University Business Policies and Procedures Manual, UBP #7780, Use of
University Vehicles.
All drivers on University business are required to
observe all city and state traffic regulations, and are personally responsible
for penalties incurred by violations.
This program applies to all operators of University-owned vehicles,
current University Driving Permit holders and all UNM employees that operate
their personal vehicle for University business more than fifteen (15) miles per
month. The program is intended to minimize accidents, injuries and incurred
liability resulting from motor vehicle accidents.
Authorized Operator - A UNM employee or UNM student that has:
·
a valid New Mexico Driver’s License;
·
a University Driving Permit to operate University vehicles (issued by
Safety and Risk Services); and
·
completed the Defensive Driving Course.
Defensive Driving
Course (DDC) - The
National Safety Council's eight (8) hour Defensive Driving Course.
15 Passenger Van - A large van that was designed and built to hold 15 passengers,
including the driver. This includes those vehicles that have been modified to
carry only 11 passengers with the removal of the rear seat.
Large Van - Includes all
vans that were designed and built to hold 12 or 15 passengers and one ton cargo
vans.
University Vehicle - Any motorized (electric, gas or diesel
powered), University-owned vehicle (that is operated on a roadway).
Vehicle Use Review
Group -
means a committee of individuals including members from SRS, Human Resources,
Office of Equal Opportunity, Legal Counsel, Employee Occupational Health
Service, the employee and their manager/supervisor as appropriate.
C. USE OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND TOBACCO
Substance abuse impairs judgment and limits physical
abilities that may result in hazards to our employees and the public. UNM recognizes its responsibility to maintain
a drug-free workplace and has implemented a drug-free policy as a result. Therefore, all employees are prohibited from
operating a vehicle for University business while impaired, intoxicated or
under the influence of alcohol or drugs. University Business Policy, UBP #2250,
prohibits smoking in University-owned vehicles.
D. UNIVERSITY DRIVING PERMITS
University Driving Permits are issued by the SRS
Department. Driver's license checks will
be performed on all potential operators prior to the issuance of any University
Driving Permit and on an annual basis thereafter. Potential operators will be subject to the
status classification system listed below.
Satisfactory - eligible to obtain a University Driving
Permit And their driving record reflects less than or equal to:
·
one (1) or less moving violation in 12 months
·
two (2) or less moving violations in 24 months
Probationary - eligible to obtain a University Driving
Permit with the stipulation that the individual’s motor vehicle record will be
checked periodically over the period of probation and their driving record
reflects greater than the criteria for Satisfactory status or equal to:
·
open action on the record
·
two (2) moving violations in past 12
months or three (3) moving violations in the past 24 months
·
one DUI/DWI in the past 24 months
·
at fault in a fatal accident within the past 24 months
·
leaving the scene of an accident within the past 24 months
·
reckless driving within the past 24 months
Unacceptable - Applicants will not be hired, employees
during their probation period will be terminated and students will not be
allowed drive on UNM business if their driving record reflects:
·
suspended or revoked license
·
three (3) or more moving violations in the past 12 months
·
two (2) or more DUIs/DWIs within the past 12 months
·
at fault in a fatal accident within the past 12 months
·
leaving the scene of an accident within the past 36 months
·
reckless driving within the past 12 months
E. TEMPORARY PERMITS
Temporary Permits will be issued to authorized operators
with the following stipulations:
·
Only one (1) temporary permit will be issued to an individual.
·
The operator must be enrolled in the next available University Defensive
Driving Course.
·
The temporary permit will expire on the scheduled date of completion of the
Defensive Driving Course.
·
Special temporary permits may be issued for longer periods at the
discretion of SRS.
·
No temporary
permits will be issued to operate 15 Passenger Vans.
SRS will periodically check the motor vehicle records for
all existing UNM employees with UNM Driving Permits. Any UNM employee without a
valid driver's license will not be allowed to operate a UNM vehicle or drive on
UNM business. If driving is an essential job function, and the employee cannot
be reasonably accommodated, the employee will be terminated. If an existing
employee has a valid driver's license and the employee's driving record meets
or exceeds Probationary Status criteria, the employee will be placed on
Probationary Status and will be subjected to the requirements of that status
until the end of the probation. If during an annual or periodic motor vehicle
record check, the employee's record indicates further violations, the Vehicle
Use Review Group will meet to review the specific circumstances surrounding the
individual and determine appropriate action.
SRS will check the motor vehicle records of any job
applicant where driving is an essential job function, as requested by UNM Human
Resources. The applicant's job offer is contingent upon this driving record
check. The motor vehicle record check will include review of any appropriate
state records based on the employee's application and resume. If the applicant
does not have a valid driver's license, the applicant will not be hired. If an
applicant or an employee in probationary employment has a driving record that meets
or exceeds the criteria listed under the Unacceptable Status, the applicant
will not be hired and the probationary employee will be terminated. If the
applicant or probationary employee meets the Probationary Status criteria
he/she will be placed into that status.
H. SEAT BELT USAGE
The University recognizes that seat belts are an
important and effective item of personal protective equipment. Individuals are needlessly injured or die due
to their failure to use available seat belts.
The University Business Policy 7780, Use of University Vehicles,
requires that operators and passengers of University vehicles abide by all
state traffic safety rules and regulations, including the use of seat
belts. The operator must insist that all passengers wear seatbelts while in
the vehicle.
I. TRAINING OF DRIVERS
All employees and students, who drive a University-owned
vehicle, are required to successfully complete an eight (8) hour DDC. The DDC is periodically offered by the SRS
Department and is designed to teach the techniques of safe driving and accident
prevention. Additional DDC options
include UNM Continuing Education or online services from the National Safety
Council. All drivers will be required to
re-qualify for their University Driving Permit, including successful completion
of the DDC every five (5) years.
All operators of 15
passenger vans must be a valid Authorized Operator and obtain a UNM Van
Operator Permit. The Van Safety Training Program (VSTP) includes classroom
instruction, behind the wheel training and competency testing. Operators must successfully complete these
requirements to receive a UNM Van Operator Permit. Documentation from a SRS
recognized van trainer may be substituted for the behind the wheel training and
competency testing at the discretion of SRS. All operators of 15 passenger vans
must renew their Van Operator Permit every 5 years by completing the classroom
portion of the VSTP. The VSTP is
periodically offered by SRS.
J. OPERATION OF
LARGE VANS
In light of the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research that shows the
increased propensity for "rollover" accidents when large vans are
heavily loaded the University has developed the following standards:
·
15 passenger
vans must be modified to carry no more than 11 people.
·
Roof racks are
not allowed except under written permission from SRS.
·
No baggage can
be stored above seat level inside the passenger compartment, cannot be stored
above side wall level in the rear cargo cage area and must not block the rear
windows.
·
The driver is
responsible to insure that all
passengers are wearing their seatbelt while the vehicle is in operation.
·
Operators of 15
passenger vans must complete the Van Safety Training Program and obtain a Van
Operator Permit.
·
It is highly
recommended that those operators of 12 passenger vans and 1-ton cargo vans
complete the VSTP.
K. SUPERVISION OF DRIVERS
It is the responsibility of the employee's supervisor to
ensure that drivers of University vehicles are familiar with the vehicle they
will be operating and that the operators
have the proper UNM permit and a valid state Driver’s License for the vehicle
they will be operating. The supervisor must also ensure
that vehicle operators are trained in proper accident reporting (see Section
L).
Annually, a list of all authorized motor vehicle
operators will be submitted to each department for review. Any discrepancies in the list provided should
be rectified as soon as possible. Annual
verification of licenses and review of driving records will be conducted by the
SRS Department. Motor vehicle violations will be reviewed and appropriate
actions will be taken, up to and including revocation of the University Driving
Permit. An employee may be put on
limited duty (no driving) by the supervisor while the status of the employee’s
driver’s license is under investigation.
Any authorized operator, that drives University-owned
vehicles or their personal vehicle on University business, must report to their
supervisor and SRS if their driver's license is revoked or suspended.
L. ACCIDENT/MOVING VIOLATION REPORTING
In the event an accident occurs, in a vehicle used for
University business, the first concern should be the health and well being of
the vehicle occupants and pedestrians.
Local police should be notified immediately of any accident involving
such vehicles off campus; on campus you should contact the University Police. All such accidents must be reported to the
department responsible for the vehicle.
A "Notice of Claim" (UBP #6150, Exhibit C) must be processed
by the responsible department and submitted to the Risk Management Department.
As outlined in UBP #7780, operators of vehicles used for
University business are personally responsible for penalties incurred by
violations of city and state traffic regulations. Any violations received in a University
vehicle must be reported to the SRS Department.
The vehicle use review committee will review concerns
with regard to driving records, motor vehicle accidents and other University
vehicle concerns as necessary. The committee will have the authority to revoke
or suspend any University Driving Permit that it deems necessary for reasons of
safety and liability.