Vehicles owned and available for use at Salish Kootenai College are to be maintained in safe and operational condition at all times.  The responsibility for maintaining College vehicles is vested in the Department for which the vehicles have been assigned custody (primarily Transportation, Physical Plant Construction Worker training and Auxiliary Enterprises).  College vehicles will be inspected and preventative maintenance performed on a regular schedule coinciding with the factory recommended maintenance schedule (approximately every 3000 miles).  All vehicles are equipped with emergency safety equipment.  In the event of an accident, an accident report (available in the glove compartment of the vehicle and in the Transportation Department) must be completed and filed with the Director of the Transportation Department or the Vice President of Business Affairs. In the event that, due to driver negligence as determined by the investigating officer, a college vehicle is damaged in an accident or the driver is issued a citation by a recognized law enforcement agency, the driver will lose their privileges to operate College vehicles until they have participated in a College sponsored defensive driving class and driving privileges are reinstated by the College President, Vice President of Academic Affairs or Vice President of Business Affairs.  If a motor vehicle record (MVR) check discloses that a driver has moving violation(s), which the College considers to be detrimental, to prudent risk management principles (per insurance company guidelines), their privileges to drive college vehicles will be suspended.

The following policies must be followed when using SKC vehicles.

1. Drivers of any SKC vehicle must have a current valid Montana State driver’s license and a copy of their license must be on file with the SKC Transportation Department.
2. Candidates for SKC employment that require driving college vehicles must agree to a motor vehicle record (MVR) check that will be performed prior to hiring.
3. The College and/or its insurance carrier will perform periodical MVR checks for acceptable driving records.
4. College vehicles are only to be used for College Business.
5. When picking up a College vehicle, the driver is responsible for performing a visual inspection of the vehicle and noting any damage or other problems with the vehicle on the vehicle log.  Any defects must be reported immediately to the Transportation Department supervisor.
6. When operating a College vehicle all occupants of the vehicle are required to use seatbelts.
7. Cell phones are not to be used by the driver while driving.  Pull off the road to a safe area to make or take a call.
8. Drivers of College vans are responsible for assuring that all passengers use their seat belts. 
9. 15 passenger vans have had the rear seat removed and are to transport no more than 10 passengers.  When not fully loaded van passengers should be directed to sit in front of the rear axle.  (SKC will not purchase additional 15 passenger vans until they are manufactured to meet federal safety standards.)
10. College vehicles are available only to drivers familiar and comfortable with driving such vehicles. The Transportation Department can arrange for instruction in the safe operation of most vehicles.
11. No drugs or alcohol will be conveyed or consumed in any College vehicle.
12. No college vehicle will be operated while under the influence of an intoxicating substance or while the ability to operate a vehicle is impaired.
13. No smoking or use of other tobacco products is allowed in any college vehicle.
14. The driver of a College vehicle will operate the vehicle in a safe and courteous manner and obey all traffic regulations.
15. Employee drivers may not grant permission for a college vehicle to be driven by any other person, including family members.
16. No hitchhikers may be picked up when driving a college vehicle.
17. Student employees (including work-study, interns and student government senators and officers), whose job duties require that they drive a college vehicle, must abide by all of the above policies and will be required to participate in a defensive drivers training program offered by a certified instructor (available through the SKC Continuing Education Department).
    1. Defensive drivers training will address:
       1. Review of policies and procedures stressing the driver’s responsibilities.
       2. Skills needed in operating a vehicle’s specialized equipment.
       3. Emphasis in driving defensively.
       4. Special considerations when driving vans (including 15 passenger vans).

History:

Adopted: Policy has been in place prior to Sept. 2003 Revised: October 2004