Safe Driver

1. Purpose

Reliant Mission (“Reliant”) is committed to promoting safety and responsible driving by all Reliant employees, associates, and volunteers. To ensure that this commitment is upheld, Reliant has adopted a Safe Driver Policy that requires all employees, associates, and volunteers with “driving duties” (defined as those who use their personal, borrowed, or rented vehicle at the direction, or for the benefit, of Reliant, including use for ministry purposes), to operate such vehicles in a lawful and safe manner.  It is the driver’s responsibility to maintain and operate the vehicle in a safe manner and to drive defensively and undistracted, to prevent injuries and property damage. As such, Reliant endorses all applicable state motor vehicle regulations relating to driver responsibility. Reliant expects each driver to drive in a safe and courteous manner pursuant to the following safety rules. 

This policy does not apply to an employee’s or volunteer’s normal commuting to and from work or for personal errands during work hours.

2. Motor Vehicle Records Check

It is a Reliant policy and requirement for employment and/or volunteer service that every employee and volunteer in a position with driving duties (as defined above) pass a motor vehicle record (“MVR”) check per grading criteria set by Reliant before performing such duties and maintain that criteria throughout any period of employment or volunteer service with Reliant which requires driving duties.

MVR Checks will be performed and examined prior to the start of employment or volunteer service as well as periodically thereafter. A driving record that fails to meet Reliant’s MVR criteria will result in the employee being placed on probation and may include restrictions on driving duties. Additional infractions within the probationary period may result in further disciplinary actions, up to and including termination.

3. Driver Guidelines and Reporting Requirements

1. Any employee or volunteer with driving duties whose driver’s license is revoked or suspended shall immediately notify his or her supervisor by the next business day and immediately discontinue driving duties on behalf of Reliant. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment or volunteer status.
2. All collisions that occur in the course of an employee’s or volunteer’s exercise of his or her driving duties must be reported to the police and to the employee’s or volunteer’s supervisor. Collisions are to be reported immediately (from the scene, during the same day, or as soon as practicable if immediate or same-day reporting is not possible). Collisions involving personal injury to the employee or volunteer when exercising driving duties must be reported to Employment Services for Worker’s Compensation purposes. Failing to stop after a collision (“hit and run”) and/or failure to report collision as required by this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or volunteer status.
3. Drivers must report to their supervisor all moving violations received while exercising driving duties within 72 hours of receipt.

4. Driver Criteria and Administration

Employees and volunteers exercising driving duties must hold a valid and current Driver’s license with current auto insurance and minimum liability limits as set by Reliant.

Employees are expected to drive in a safe and responsible manner and to maintain a good driving record. Reliant will periodically review records, including collisions, moving violations, etc., to determine if an employee’s or volunteer’s driving record indicates a pattern of unsafe or irresponsible driving and to make a recommendation to Program Leads for suspension or revocation of driving duties.

See also: Auto and Rental Car Insurance and Auto Insurance Policy Verification

5. Driver Safety Rules

1. Exercising driving duties on behalf of Reliant while under the influence of intoxicants and/or illegal drugs is forbidden and is sufficient cause for discipline, up to and including termination of employment. For purposes of this policy, “illegal drug” is defined as any controlled substance listed in schedules I through V of the federal Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 812), medication or other chemical substance that (1) is not legally obtainable; or (2) is legally obtainable, but is not legally obtained, is not being used legally or is not being used for the purpose(s) for which it was prescribed or intended by the manufacturer. Thus, “illegal drugs” may include even over-the-counter medications if they are not being used for the purpose(s) for which they were intended by the manufacturer.
2. Employees and volunteers exercising driving duties must avoid using a cell phone while operating a vehicle. All cell phone calls must occur while the vehicle is parked and/or use the phone in a “hands-free” mode via a headset or speaker. Any other cell phone use (e.g., texting, reading emails) must be done while the vehicle is parked. In addition to this policy, any applicable state or local laws regarding cell phone usage must also be obeyed.
3. No employee or volunteer exercising driving duties shall operate a vehicle on behalf of Reliant when his/her ability to do so safely has been impaired by illness, fatigue, or injury.
4. All drivers and passengers operating or riding in a vehicle must wear seat belts.
5. All state and local laws for operating a vehicle must be obeyed.

6. Accident Procedures

7. Consequences of Violation

Any violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.