Vehicle Safety Program For District Employees Clint Independent School District Vehicle Safety Policy

Summary It is the policy of the Clint Independent School District that our passenger vehicles (including vans and light-duty trucks) will be used only for school business and will be operated only by authorized persons who meet the driver criteria in our vehicle safety program. This policy applies to our District-owned vehicles and private or rental vehicles authorized for use on school business. All employees must comply with federal, state and local laws and policies and be “job-ready” when they are on school business. Job-ready means that employees must be physically and mentally able to do their jobs. Employees must not use intoxicants, drugs or medications that could impair their judgment or ability to drive. Managers and supervisors have the right to determine an employee’s job readiness. Employees who drive on school business must have a valid driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record. Violations of this policy may result in revocation or restriction of employee authorization to drive a District-owned or private vehicle on school business, suspension or dismissal. All employees must sign a statement stating that they have read and understand this policy and the consequences for violating it.

Employee Responsibilities School Administrators are responsible for ensuring that employees under their direction comply with all elements of this policy. The District safety specialist and the District Dept. of Transportation must verify, in writing, that employees have valid drivers’ licenses and are qualified to operate District vehicles before they begin driving on school business. Employees who drive on school business must follow all parts of this policy. They must do a walk around inspection of any vehicle before driving it and must not use a company vehicle for personal business. When operating District vehicles, employees should remember that their driving habits reflect on all District employees. District vehicles must be used legally, courteously and safely. Employees are strongly encouraged to plan mini-breaks every two hours during long periods of driving and to allow for no more than 10 hours driving per day in good driving conditions. Employees must use and require seat belts to be worn by their passengers. Smoking is not permitted in District vehicles. Employees are responsible for the care of vehicles assigned to them and may be held liable for improper care and abuse of the vehicle. Misconduct could lead to withdrawal of driving privileges and/or disciplinary actions, up to and including dismissal.

3 Requirements Employee Clearance Employees who drive on school business must read and complete the CISD Authorization Form that permits Clint ISD to complete a motor vehicle background check. The Department of Human Resources will review this vehicle safety policy with each new employee who drives on company business.

Licensing Employees who drive on school business must have a current, valid license for the vehicles they drive. Licenses will be photocopied and kept in employees’ files.

Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Review The Department of Human Resources will review the driver’s MVR for vehicle incidents and violations.

Reporting Incidents Involving Motor Vehicles An incident report packet is located in the glove box of each company vehicle. The packet contains instructions on what to do in case of an incident. Drivers should become familiar with the instructions before using vehicles. Employees are responsible for completing and filing all necessary reports within the time periods required by this policy. Failure to file a report may cause the loss of the employee’s license, driving privileges, and liability insurance coverage. Employees must immediately notify their supervisor of any accident, collision or vandalism. Employees must immediately report to the Department of Transportation all collisions, accidents, or vandalism involving vehicles they use on company business. If the incident results in injuries or fatalities, employees must report them to the Department of Transportation immediately after ensuring the injured have or will receive necessary medical treatment. Employees must forward copies of all vehicle accident forms to the Department of Transportation. Employees involved in vehicle crashes should discuss details of the incident only with police officers, appropriate state officials, or representative of the District’s insurance carrier.

Drug Testing and MVR Checks After Incidents Involving Vehicles After each incident, regardless of who is at fault, the Department of Transportation will require a drug and alcohol test immediately and obtain the driver’s motor vehicle record (MVR) within three business days.

Pre-trip Walk-around Inspections Employees are responsible for conducting walk-around inspections of their vehicles before driving and note any defects or damage. Employees must also note defects or damage to seats, seat belts, interior lights, engine warning lights, rearview mirrors, and emergency equipment.

4 Employees must report defects or damage to the Department of Transportation immediately. The Department of Transportation will evaluate the report and ensure that all hazards are repaired promptly. Vehicles that are unsafe to drive must be placed out of service immediately.

Mobile Phone Use Agreement Employees who use a mobile phone should remember that their number one priority is obeying the rules of the road. Clint ISD requires that you do the following when you use a mobile phone when you are driving a District vehicle: • Find a safe place to pull off of the road and place your call. • If you receive a call while driving, let the call go to the voice mail and answer when it is safe to do so. • Employees are prohibited to use their mobile phone in any capacity while driving. This includes but it is not limited to texting, hands-free calling and use of internet, social media and other functions of a mobile device. Vehicle Use Agreement • Employees and passengers must wear seat belts while the vehicle is in motion. • Employees must report all mechanical problems to their supervisors immediately. • Employees must report any motor vehicle incident that results in damage, injury, or a citation to their supervisors immediately and the Department of Transportation. • Employees must have a valid driver’s license for the vehicles they will operate, must follow all license restrictions, and must have their license in their possession when they are driving. A driver whose license is suspended, revoked or terminated must notify Clint ISD immediately. • No one else other than the approved employee can drive or operate the District vehicle in any capacity. • Employees are responsible for all traffic and parking violations they receive when using District vehicles. • Modifying or adding accessories to a District vehicle is prohibited. • Radar detectors are prohibited. • Employees are not allowed to operate vehicles at any time while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

5 DRIVING A VEHICLE

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of on-the-job fatalities. This includes not only those that drive for a living, but also those that use a personal vehicle to conduct business for their employer. The good news is that most motor vehicle accidents are very preventable. Following the tips below can help to prevent motor vehicle accidents. SAFETY GUIDELINES • Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including drive-altering prescriptions. • Wear your seatbelt every time you are in a vehicle, no exceptions. • Never text while driving. • Pull over if you must make or receive a call. • Do not drive if you are too fatigued. • Inspect your vehicle before you drive. • Check your mirrors & seat to be sure they are set to the right position for you. • Obey the speed limit, watching for school zones and construction zones. • Maintain a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. There should be at least a 2 second gap to allow for stopping. The faster you are going the larger the gap should be. In inclement weather the gap should be larger, too. • Keep the big picture of the road while driving; don’t get too fixated on the road or car directly in front of you. Regularly check all of your mirrors to see what is around you. Surprises while driving are not good. • Don’t overdrive your headlights when driving at night. You want to be able to respond to any hazard identifies by your headlights. • Regularly check fluid levels, belts and tires. • Proactively address any concerns, don’t wait for a break down. • Drive defensively and courteously, share the road.

Our reputation for excellence is no accident.TM TOP PRIORITY: TIRE SAFETY Fatal rollovers of 15-passenger vans are most likely to involve tire failures. NHTSA research shows that tires on 15-passenger vans are often under inflated and in use past their service life. Aged tires are more prone to failure even if they appear to be new (as in the case of original spare tires). Owners and drivers of these vans need to be especially diligent in maintaining correct tire pressure and must be aware that tires deteriorate over time regardless of use. Some vehicle ADDITIONAL INFORMATION manufacturers recommend that tires be replaced every six years Federal regulations do not prohibit the use of vans by schools, but require any van (with a regardless of tread depth. In addition, capacity of more than 10) sold or leased for use as a school bus to meet the safety standards a number of tire manufacturers cite applicable to school buses. Federal regulations apply only to the manufacture and sale/lease 10 years as the maximum service life for of new vehicles. Each State prescribes its own regulations that apply to the use of any vehicle these tires. Check the owner’s manual for that is used to transport students. specific recommendations for your vehicle.

Please note the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has special requirements for 15-PASSENGER VAN SAFETY In order to determine tire age, check the DOT commercial operators of 15-passenger vans. date code located on the inboard sidewall of the tire. The DOT code will be featured at the end of the grouping of characters which begin with the letters “DOT” and end with NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION either three or four digits. If three digits, the tire was manufactured prior to 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. | West Building | Washington, DC 20590 2000. For example, if the three digit number is “168,” the tire was manufactured | in the 16th week of 1998—the last digit refers to the year manufactured Toll-Free: 1-888-327-4236 Hearing Impaired (TTY): 1-800-424-9153 and the first two digits refer to the week in that year. If four digits, the tire was manufactured in 2000 or later. For example, “2303” would be the 23rd week of 2003.

Safercar.gov | 1-888-327-4236 9180-051313-v2a SAFETY BASICS NHTSA’S TOP SAFETY SIZE A 15-passenger van is substantially longer and wider than a car, and thus 15-passenger vans are not like smaller passenger vans and minivans and have requires more space to maneuver. It also requires additional reliance on the a higher rate of rollover under certain conditions. Because of these increased RECOMMENDATIONS FOR side-view mirrors for changing lanes. risks, drivers and passengers need to pay greater attention to tire maintenance and road conditions. In addition, driver experience is essential to safely 15-PASSENGER VAN USE operating these vehicles. It is critical that both drivers and passengers follow SPEED some simple safety rules to minimize risks to themselves and their loved ones. Drive at a safe speed based on driving conditions. Driver should never exceed TIRE PRESSURE the posted speed limit. Always slow down if the roads are wet or icy because National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data show a Inspect the tires and check tire pressure before each use. A van’s tires need to 15-passenger vans do not respond well to abrupt steering maneuvers and significant increase in rollover risk when the van is fully loaded with drivers and be properly inflated and the tread should not be worn down. Excessively worn require additional braking time. passengers. NHTSA has taken steps to reduce this risk by requiring electronic or improperly inflated tires can lead to a loss of vehicle control and possibly a stability control (ESC) systems on all new 15-passenger vans. ESC systems assist rollover. Pressure for front and back tires may be different, and pressure is likely drivers in maintaining control of their vehicles even during extreme steering higher than that required for car tires. A placard on the driver’s side B-pillar or maneuvers or on slippery roads. The presence of ESC may prevent rollovers OCCUPANCY the owner’s manual lists manufacturer recommended tire size and pressure. from occurring, however, 15-passenger vans are often in use for many years, Never allow more than 15 people to ride in a 15-passenger van. When the van is and models produced prior to 2004 likely do not have this crash prevention not full, passengers should sit in seats that are in front of the rear axle. technology installed. SPARES Avoid using old spares when replacing worn tires since all tires, even unused CARGO tires, weaken with age. Used 15-passenger vans may come with new looking Cargo should be placed forward of the rear axle and placing any loads on the spare tires that are many years old and could be dangerous. roof should be avoided. Do not tow anything behind the van. See the vehicle owner’s manual for maximum weight of passengers and cargo and avoid DRIVER overloading the van. 15-passenger vans should only be operated by trained, experienced drivers who operate these vehicles on a regular basis. The driver needs to possess SEAT BELTS a valid driver’s license for state of residence (a commercial driver’s license is All occupants need to wear seat belts at all times. Inspect seat belts regularly and preferred). 15-passenger van drivers need additional training since these replace any missing, broken or damaged belts and/or buckles. An unrestrained vehicles handle differently than passenger cars, especially when fully loaded. 15-passenger van occupant involved in a single-vehicle crash is approximately three times as likely to be killed as a restrained occupant.

ATTENTION Driver should be well-rested and attentive to driving at all times. Cell phone use by the driver while the van is in motion should be prohibited. Driver should Consumers with questions about this brochure or any safety campaign also limit conversation with other passengers, and drive time should be limited may call NHTSA’s toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 to eight hours per 24-hour period. (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or visit Safercar.gov

Safercar.gov | 1-888-327-4236 Safercar.gov | 1-888-327-4236 Safercar.gov | 1-888-327-4236 12 & 15- Passenger Van Defensive Driver Training NHTS-national Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Recognizes that 12- 15 passenger vans (include driver) are similar type vehicle and offer the same hazards to operate Definition

Full-size vans are those manufacturer designed for 10 or more occupants including the driver. Documented Certified Training

•Effective January 1, 2007 the Board Of Occupational Safety and Health will require documented certified training for all public employees who operate full-size vans. •Certification of operators to include hands-on exercise •Refresher training at a minimum not to exceed 3 years Topics to be Discussed

• 12 & 15-Passenger Van Safety • Seat Belt Use • Drug and Alcohol Use • Cell Phone Use • Fatigue • Crash/Near Hit • Backing 12 & 15-Passenger Van Characteristics

• Substantially longer and wider than a car • Requires more space and additional reliance on the side mirrors for changing lanes • Does not respond as safely to abrupt steering maneuvers 12 & 15-Passenger Van Characteristics • Requires additional braking time – The more weight you have, the longer it takes to stop – The higher the speed you are traveling at, the longer it takes to stop Following Distance

• Maintain a cushion of safety around the vehicle (no traffic on all sides) • Drive in the right-hand lane whenever possible • Recommended safe following distance is as follows: – When weather, road and visibility conditions are good, maintain 4 seconds behind other traffic – When weather, road and visibility conditions are bad, maintain at least 6 seconds behind other traffic When the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed object (for example, a telephone pole or mailbox), count one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, etc. and you should not pass that same fixed object before the designated count Stay well behind larger commercial vehicles so you can see around them for potential hazards

When following in traffic, if you cannot see the other vehicle’s mirrors, you may be in their blind spot; avoid doing so

Mirrors

• Adjust mirrors so that the you can barely see the edge of the van in the mirror • When changing lanes, always check for blind spots by first leaning forward in your seat to change your sight angle and then by turning your head • Scan mirrors every 3-5 seconds • The biggest blind spot is directly behind the vehicle. Avoid backing whenever possible Scan ahead 12-15 seconds or 1-2 city blocks

Before entering an intersection, scan all directions and cover the brake -Traffic – changing traffic signals, vehicles running red lights or making a right turn on red -Pedestrians, bicyclists and animals -Trains, school buses Maneuvers around other vehicles can be dangerous, so ALWAYS leave plenty of space behind the vehicle ahead

Stop far enough behind the vehicle so that you can see their rear tires and pavement behind the vehicle Always communicate your intentions by using your turn signals

A turn signal must be given continuously during at least the last 100 feet traveled before turning • When entering a rotary, remember you have less visibility and less maneuverability • Maintain a cushion of safety around the vehicle Minimizing Roll Overs

Slow down and drive cautiously, especially on rural roads. Shoulders, ditches and embankments, as well as on and off ramps, create the potential for vehicle roll over Reduce your speed BELOW the speed limit posted for all turns and poor road conditions.

The posted speed limit is safe for cars, NOT 15- passenger vans. Keep speeds at or below the speed limit

Do not exceed 60 mph at any time If the van’s wheels drop off the roadway, gradually reduce speed and steer back onto the roadway when it is safe to do so. Avoid panic-like steering and hard braking. -Recline seat back -Move seat rearward -Tilt steering wheel down -10 inches away from steering wheel -ALWAYS wear seat belts

Avoid panic-like steering by positioning both hands on the steering wheel at 9:00 and 3:00 or 8:00 and 4:00

This also decreases arm fatigue and reduces injuries

Keep two hands on the steering wheel at all times To Reduce Risk of Roll Over

• Do not load items on top of the vehicle or tow a trailer • Do not overload the vehicle with passengers and/or equipment • Passengers should be distributed evenly from side to side for balance and sit towards the front of the vehicle The Vehicle

• Always drive with your headlights on to be seen by other traffic • Perform pre-trip inspections and notify appropriate person of any vehicle defects Passenger Loading/Unloading

• Drivers should use good judgment to decide how, when and where to unload passengers safely • Always pick up and drop off passengers so that they do NOT have to cross traffic to get to their destination • Keep all passengers away from the front and rear of the vehicle when crossing The use of a responsible spotter when loading, unloading, backing or parking is recommended to ensure no person or object is in harm’s way • Cell phones are for emergencies only, and are to be used only when the van is safely parked • No food, drinks or smoking allowed • Reading while driving is prohibited • Read maps only when the van is safely parked • Be patient and courteous at all times • Road rage is strictly prohibited • Your passengers count on you to be cool and keep them safe Aggressive Driving

• Aggressive driving • Aggressive driving is: puts your life and – Passing on the right those of your when it is unsafe / passengers in danger illegal to do so • It also endangers the – Tailgating lives of others on the – Excessive lane changes road – Blocking traffic so they cannot pass • Poor driving reflects – Speeding and making badly on your unsafe passes organization To Avoid Road Rage in Others

• Do not cut people off • Do not tailgate • Use turn signals • Do not use inappropriate gestures or verbal taunts • Use horn sparingly • Allow other drivers to merge • Drive courteously If Confronted by an Angry Driver • Do not make eye contact • Do not engage in the confrontation • If they persist, have a passenger call for emergency help and drive to a police station Remember…

• Obey all traffic laws • Concentrate on your driving • Allow NO distractions from passengers or any source • Discuss any concerns with your safety supervisor Weather Conditions

• Check weather conditions prior to any trip • Be prepared not to go if conditions are extreme • Leave early to avoid making mistakes or becoming anxious Crosswinds

• Because of the van’s size and shape, you must be especially mindful of crosswinds • Crosswinds can be created by open fields, overpasses and bridges as well as exiting tunnels • Crosswinds are also created by larger vehicles and buses Backing

70% of van crashes involve backing into a stationary object.

Consider alternatives to driving into a place in which you will need to back out. However, if not possible, backing should be done upon arrival at locations rather than when leaving Heads, seats, door posts and vehicle, equipment, and greater distance impeded visibility

• Whenever possible, back out to the left (the driver’s side) for better visibility • Use outside mirrors to direct you • Avoid backing into traffic • Get out and check the area behind the van before backing • Turn on four-way flashers and back SLOWLY • Have a spotter assist you to back ONLY when they understand what is expected of them • There is a blind spot in front of the van which may prevent operators from seeing children and others of short stature walking in front of the van • Be aware of van passenger walking in front of the van as they board or exit the vehicle Animals Animals present a hazard to any vehicle, but more so with a 15-passenger van

Swerving to avoid small animals is dangerous, as it will cause the vehicle to roll over

Use high beams whenever possible