Table of Contents: Chapter 6

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605 SAFE DRIVER POLICY

605.1 Purpose

Employee Safe Driving skills are an essential and vital part of the success of our overall safety program. Because vehicle and equipment operations present a risk of workplace injuries, death and property loss, it is imperative that each employee have a positive attitude and use defensive driving skills.

605.2 Procedures


The driving record of all new employees, shall be reviewed and found to be acceptable before the employee is hired. The Department Director will determine acceptable standards per departmental requirements.

No one shall operate any City owned vehicle or personal vehicles while conducting City business without a valid Driver's License, or valid Commercial Driver's License if required, in his/her possession and shall drive such vehicle in compliance with any restrictions or endorsement on the license.

If an employee drives a City vehicle or personal vehicle for City business, even on an occasional basis, and their driver's license has been suspended or in any way restricted, the employee shall notify his/her supervisor immediately.

All operators of City owned vehicles must complete Drivers Training within 30 days after the employee's start date. If training is not available during this time frame, the employee must complete interim safe driver training within 30 days and make arrangements to attend the next scheduled Drivers Training.

Fire Personnel and Police Personnel will attend driver training specific for their job classification.

All operators of City owned vehicles must complete a driver training refresher course annually.

No one shall operate a City owned vehicle without proper authorization. If applicable, CDL, U.S. and Missouri DOT rules and regulations shall be followed. This includes placarding for hazardous materials.

No one shall authorize operation of a City owned vehicle or personal vehicle for City business without reasonable assurance that the person operating said vehicle is capable, trained, and qualified to operate said vehicle.

All employees operating a City owned vehicle or personal vehicle for City business shall obey all state and local traffic ordinances, comply with the posted speed limit, and operate vehicles in a safe and prudent manner.

Fire and Police department personnel shall follow their emergency response policy when responding to an emergency.

All employees operating City owned vehicles designed to haul materials shall secure those materials to prevent them from dislodging and falling from their vehicles. Materials shall be covered with a protective cover or be sufficiently secured in accordance with Missouri Statutes.

All vehicles when practical shall be kept free of loose objects. Attention shall be given to any object that might lodge under a brake pedal, become a projectile in a collision or sudden stop, or interfere in any way with the safe operation of the vehicle, e.g., use of cell phones, pagers, eating, drinking, or smoking while driving.

A spotter will be used at all times when backing a vehicle with an obstructed view. When a spotter is not available the driver will conduct a walk around inspection prior to backing a vehicle.

605.3 Driver's License Check

Human Resources in coordination with the appropriate department personnel shall periodically (at least once per year) validate all driver's licenses of employees authorized to operate a City vehicle. Licenses will be reviewed for their validity, type of license, license number, expiration date and renewal date.

605.4 Accidents

All employees will be trained on, and know, the proper accident reporting procedures. Employees (drivers) involved in a vehicular accident shall be required to receive additional driver training as deemed necessary by their Supervisor and/or Department Director.

605.5 Random Drug Testing

All employees who are required by their Job Description to have a CDL license shall be subject to a random drug and alcohol screening pursuant as further defined in Section 404.