Motor Vehicle Policy

Overview

EIR Traffic Management provides and maintains a vehicle fleet with a range of vehicle types appropriate to the needs of the company's operations. Such vehicles form the organisation's vehicle pool and are available for use by authorised personnel for travel associated with the conduct of EIR Traffic Management activities.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all EIR Traffic Management employees understand their responsibilities when operating company motor vehicles.

Driver responsibilities

• Drivers of company vehicles must be authorised to do so and must hold a current driver's licence.
• Drivers are fully responsible for the vehicle while it is in their charge.
• Traffic regulations and bylaws must be observed at all times.
• All traffic and parking violations are the responsibility of the authorised driver of the vehicle.
• Vehicles must be driven at safe speeds according to the road conditions and within speed limits at all times.
• Every courtesy must be shown to other road users and pedestrians.
• The no-smoking policy extends to motor vehicles.
• Company vehicles are serviced at the manufacturer's recommended intervals and maintained in a roadworthy condition. Drivers are required to check for obvious defects and report these immediately.
• Drivers are required to regularly check petrol, tyre pressure and windscreen washer supply.
• Unattended vehicles must be securely locked.

Approved drivers

The driver of an EIR Traffic Management vehicle must be an employee of EIR Traffic Management and the employee / contractor must be fully licensed to drive the classification of the vehicle. People who are not employees, or employees who are unlicensed or who hold a learner or provisional licence, are not permitted to drive EIR Traffic Management vehicles.

A photocopy of each driver's current licence is to be provided. This will be kept as a record in the employee's file. Employees must notify EIR Traffic Management immediately of any change to the status or validity of their licence.

If a driver is unfit to drive because of ill health, licence suspension or cancellation, the driver must advise EIR Traffic Management. EIR Traffic Management reserves the right to dismiss an employee or contractor who loses their driver's licence if the job required the use of a vehicle and no other arrangements are available.

Care of an EIR vehicle

The driver of each vehicle is responsible for the basic maintenance of that vehicle. Basic maintenance includes, as a minimum, monitoring and replenishing vital fluids and lubricants:

• Fuel
• Engine oil
• Coolant
• Washer fluids
• Tyre pressure

The driver is expected to keep the inside and outside of the vehicle clean and presentable at all times. Stock in vehicles should be kept in good condition and tidy. No alterations, additions or modifications are to be made to vehicles without approval.

It is the driver's responsibility to bring to EIR Traffic Management's immediate attention any fault that could render the vehicle unsafe or un-roadworthy. Vehicles must not be driven when unsafe, un-roadworthy, or in a condition that is likely to cause damage to the vehicle.

Mobile phones

It is a traffic offence to initiate or receive calls without the use of approved Mobile Phone Cradles while driving. Drivers must comply with this law at all times.

Traffic offences and accidents

Any traffic violation or offence committed by an employee remains the sole responsibility of that employee. EIR Traffic Management will not be liable for any fines or penalties arising from vehicle use by its employees at any time. Any driver with knowledge of a formal notice of an offence must notify EIR Traffic Management immediately.

The employee responsible for any vehicle involved or suspected of being involved in any accident is to report the accident to EIR Traffic Management as soon as possible. Where the employee is negligent, the employee will be responsible for payment of the insurance excess, which may necessitate deduction of monies from wages.

Alcohol, drugs and the like

An EIR Traffic Management vehicle must not be used by any driver who is affected by drugs (prescribed or social) or alcohol. No employee may drive an EIR Traffic Management vehicle with a blood alcohol level above the prescribed limit (insurance becomes void), or be under the influence of medication or social drugs which may impair performance.

No support will be provided for any employee who suffers any consequences as a result of being in control of an EIR Traffic Management vehicle whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. An employee found to be affected by alcohol or drugs will pay for any damage to the EIR Traffic Management vehicle, other vehicles, people or property as a result of an accident where that employee is the driver.

An employee found to have driven under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be dismissed.

No smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle owned or operated by EIR Traffic Management.

Misdemeanour

If an employee causes damage to a vehicle through their own negligence, that employee may be required to pay for the repair of the damage.

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually.