To be sure you are in compliance with regulatory requirements, refer to the EHS Virtual Manual and EHS Safe Operating Procedures.
Employees who use University vehicles for field investigations must be familiar with and follow all UNL regulations relating to their operation. These regulations are available at https://fleetmanagement.unl.edu/policies/driving-and-motor-vehicle-policy . With respect to safe operation, the following guidelines must be adhered to:
- Seat belt usage is required for all passengers in all state-owned vehicles
- Employees are expected to drive carefully, safely, and courteously and to observe all traffic rules and regulations
- No alcoholic beverages are allowed in or are to be consumed in any university vehicle\Smoking is not allowed in any university vehicle
- Cellular phone usage while driving is strongly discouraged
- Vehicles unattended for any reason must be secured to prevent unauthorized use or theft of the vehicle or its contents
- Vehicles and tires must be inspected daily before going to the field site
- Loads in open pickups or other vehicles and inside of vehicle cabs must be secured
- All UNL owned and licensed motor vehicles operated on public routes must undergo an annual vehicle safety inspection
Environmental Health & Safety Link
EHS provides a number of Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) that provide additional and useful information.
In Case of Vehicular Accident
The driver must report the accident to the department head and local police. The following procedures should be followed:
- Stop immediately
- Take steps to prevent another accident at the scene
- Call a doctor or ambulance, if necessary
- Notify police
- Do not sign any paper or make any statement as to who was at fault (except later to your supervisor)
- Get name and address of each witness
- Provide the other involved parties with your name, address, place of employment, and the name of your supervisor; upon request, show your operator’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance card
- Secure the following information:
- Registration information for other vehicle(s) (owner’s name, license plate number, expiration date and state, vehicle serial number)
- Information on other driver(s) (name, address, operator’s license number and expiration date)
- Name and address of the company insuring other vehicle(s)
- Name and address of each person involved and extent of injury, if any
- General information such as location, time, road condition, weather, property damage, and estimated damage to other vehicles
- Notify your department head immediately
- If the vehicle is unsafe to operate, after contacting Transportation Services, have it towed to the nearest garage or service station; after hours, call the University operator, (402) 472-7211, for connection with the appropriate person
- Submit a UNL accident report to the University risk manager (forms are located in the vehicle glove box)
Accidents involving injury or damage in excess of $1,000.00 must be also be reported to the State Accident Records Bureau, Department of Roads - Box 94669, Lincoln NE 68509-4669, on the accident report form provided by the State Patrol, sheriff, or local police.
Vans
Large passenger vans are defined as 10-, 12-, or 15-passenger vans. UNL no longer purchases 15-passenger vans and are phasing out the 15-passenger van fleet. Fifteen (15) passenger vans with the rear seat removed are classified as 10 passenger vans. Only UNL faculty, staff, and students who are 21 years or older may drive a large passenger van while on university business. All large passenger van drivers must have taken and passed the driver training program offered by UNL in order to drive any large passenger van. The occupancy of the van shall be no greater than 10 persons, including the driver, for 15-passenger vans and 12 persons for 12-passenger vans. All occupants must wear seat belts at all times; therefore, van occupancy shall never exceed seat belt capacity. No roof racks or trailer hitches will be allowed on a large passenger van. No van may be operated for more than four hours between the hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am. The maximum speed on a large passenger van is 65 MPH or the posted limit (whichever is lower). All other University policies and rules for vehicle usage will apply in addition to the special provisions listed above for the large passenger-van. These van polices can be found at the Transportation Services Web page at https://fleetmanagement.unl.edu/policies/large-passenger-vans .