HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2010.09.23 - 10339September 23, 2010
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #10231
BY: Human Resources Committee, Sue Ann Douglas, Chairperson
IN RE: OAKLAND COUNTY DRIVER SAFETY POLICY
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS. the Department of Risk Management and Safety conducts oversight for vehicle
safety. vehicle and third party liability; and
WHEREAS. recent changes to Michigan law prohibiting certain activities on a 2 way
communication device while driving: and
WHEREAS. the City of Troy has enacted an ordinance prohibiting the operation of a motor
vehicle while engaged in certain activities (distracted driving); and
WHEREAS, vehicle crashes are the number one cause of workplace fatalities per Travelers
Insurance Fleet Exposure Management: and
WHEREAS, it is important that the County make it very clear to employees operating a County
vehicle or their own vehicle while conducting County business that all laws must be obeyed; and
WHEREAS, a written policy has been created to specifically address driver safety and identifies
certain actions beyond written laws that must Pe followed while operating a County vehicle or an
employees own vehicle while conducting County business: and
WHEREAS, the County Driver Safety Policy specifically specifies disciplinary action for those wno
are non-compliant with the policy and is within the intent of Merit Rule 8 related to disciplinary actions.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
approves and adopts the attached county Driver Safety Policy and that the policy be disseminated to all
County employees once adopted by the Board of Commissioners.
Chairperson, on behalf of the Human Resources Committee, I move the adoption of the foregoing
resolution.
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Human Resources Committee Vote:
Motion carried unanimously on a roll cal vote with Middleton and Gosselin absent
County of Oakland
Driver Safety Policy
Overview
An authorized driver of a County vehicle or an employee driving a privately owned
vehicle while conducting County business has been given certain privileges. While
driving a County vehicle, or while a County employee is using a privately owned vehicle
for County business, he/she must obey all motor vehicle laws, properly maintain the
vehicle at all times and, follow the policies and procedures outlined below.
Purpose for this Memo
It is the goal of this memo to inform employees of the County's Driver Safety Policy and
to promote employee safety. County employees must operate County vehicles, or their
own vehicles while engaged in County business in a safe and lawful manner.
Vehicle Fleet Purpose
County vehicles are provided to support County business activities and are to be used
only by appropriately licensed drivers and authorized employees. In all cases, these
vehicles arc to be operated in strict compliance with motor vehicle laws of the
jurisdiction in which they are driven and with the utmost regard for their care. County
vehicles may not be used for business activities of other companies. Only authorized
passengers are permitted to ride in County vehicles. Authorized passengers include a
person authorized to travel in County vehicles by a County supervisor or manager.
Unauthorized passengers may include, but are not limited to, family members, relatives
and friends of a County employee or authorized driver.
Driver Licensing
County drivers and anyone authorized to drive County vehicles must have a valid driver's
license issued in the State of Michigan for the class of the vehicle being operated.
Obtaining a driver's license is a personal expense.
Review of Motor Vehicle Record
State of Michigan Motor Vehicle records (MVRs) will be used as the source for
verification of a driver's record.
Maintenance
Authorized drivers are required to properly maintain their County vehicles at all times.
For example, vehicles should not be operated with any defect that would inhibit safe
operation during current and foreseeable weather and lighting conditions.
Driver Responsibilities
Each driver of a County vehicle or County employee driving their own personal vehicle
for County business must obey all Michigan statutes including, but not limited to:
1) The newly passed Michigan Texting Ban (effective July 1, 2010),
The primary enforcement law prohibits drivers from reading, manually typing or sending
a text message on a 2-way communication device that is located in the person's hand or
in the person's lap. including a wireless telephone used in cellular telephone service or
personal communication service, while operating a motor vehicle that is moving on a
highway or street. Exceptions include:
a Use of a GPS or navigation system that is affixed to the motor vehicle.
b. Reporting a traffic accident, medical emergency or serious road hazard.
c. Reporting a situation in which the person believes his or her personal safety is in
jeopardy.
d. Reporting the perpetration or potential perpetration of a criminal act against the
individual or another person.
c. Carrying out official duties as a law enforcement officer or operator of an emergency
vehicle.
The County restates and affirms this law and directs all County employees (in County
vehicles or personal vehicles) to adhere to this new law.
2) Michigan's Seat Belt Law. Each operator and front seat passenger of a motor vehicle
operating on a street or highway in Michigan shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened
safety belt.
In addition, it is the policy of Oakland County that all passengers shall wear a properly
adjusted and fastened safety belt.
3) In addition, it is the authorized driver's responsibility to be aware of all local
ordinances (i.e. while driving in the City of Troy, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle
while using a hand held cell phone device or engaging in other distracted driving
activities, including grooming, eating, etc).
Failure to comply with the safety procedures outlined in this policy may result in
discipline up to and including dismissal.
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Resolution #10231 September 23, 2010
Moved by Middleton supported by Hatchett the resolutions (with fiscal notes attached) on the amended
Consent Agenda-be-ado-pted (with accompanying reports being accepted).
AYES: Burns, Capello, Coleman, Coulter, Douglas, Gershenson. Gingell, Gosselin, Greimel,
Hatchett, Jackson. Jacobsen, Long, McGillivray, Middleton, Nash, Potts, Runestad, Schwartz,
Scott, Taub, Woodward, Zack, Bullard. (24)
NAYS. None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolutions (with fiscal note attached) on the amended
Consent Agenda were adopted (with accompanying reports being accepted).
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Ruth Johnson, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true
and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on
September 1, 2010. with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County of Oakland at
Pontiac, Michigan this 23 rd day of September. 2010.
eat
Ruth Johnson, County Clerk