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Driver Safety Resources

Seattle Colleges vehicles are mainly leased from Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES), and Seattle Colleges has incorporated its vehicle safety policy with that of DES policies.

State-managed fleet vehicles are public property. When driving a state-owned vehicle, drive safely and treat the vehicle with respect. Most fleet vehicles are clearly marked as state vehicles, which makes the public attuned to state vehicle use and public employees' driving behavior. They will report misuse of state property, which is recorded and shared with your agency’s transportation office.

All accidents resulting in property damage or injuries involving a state vehicle or your own vehicle while driving on state business must be reported to the Department of Enterprise Services, Office of Risk Management (DES ORM) within 48 hours of the incident per the Enterprise-Wide Transportation Policy (formally SAAM Chapter 12).

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the safety of those individuals who drive our colleges' vehicles and to provide guidance on the proper use of state vehicles, to inform you of the state policy requirements and to inform you of their expectations and reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

Operator Responsibilities

DO:

  • Drive safely and defensively
  • Carry a valid driver’s license with you and immediately notify your manager or supervisor if your driver’s license has been suspended, revoked, or determined to be invalid
  • Inspect vehicle prior to usage, making notes of any dents, low fuel, trash inside vehicle
  • Use seatbelts (driver and passenger(s)
  • Be courteous and obey all traffic laws
  • Avoid eye contact with aggressive drivers
  • Always use vehicle headlights
  • Avoid distractions while driving
  • Report any vehicle damage immediately

DO NOT:

  • Drive under the influence of intoxicating beverages, drugs, or other impairing substances
  • Transport alcohol/ intoxicating substances unless needed to conduct official state business
  • Transport firearms, weapons, or explosives (concealed or otherwise) unless needed to conduct official state business
  • Use or allow the use of tobacco products, smoking or vaping in vehicle
  • Drive dangerously, aggressively or speed
  • Use radar detectors
  • Use head or earphones while driving 
  • Use state vehicles for personal business
  • Pick up hitchhikers or transport passengers who are not on official state business

Employer Responsibilities

DO: 

  • Provide training on how to operate the vehicle safely
  • Provide training on what employees should do in the event of an accident
  • Provide routine and annual maintenance
  • Provide accident reporting form, insurance, and registration (in glove box) 
  • Provide gas card when using (if necessary)
  • Train employees on vehicle accident reporting policy and how to report mechanical issues