MONROE COUNTY /page 1 of 7 SAFE DRIVER PLAN

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1 MONROE COUNTY /page 1 of 7 SAFE DRIVER PLAN The School Board seeks to provide safe transportation for students and employees. The safety and welfare of District students is of paramount importance to the School Board and District personnel. Although the State Board rules require a safe driver plan for only school bus operators and other staff who have a Commercial Drivers License (CDL), the Board extends this policy to cover all staff whose job description require that the individual have a valid driver s license. The purpose of this Safe Driver Plan (Plan) is to reduce the potential for injuries, property damage, and lawsuits. The Plan will prevent the hiring of unqualified applicants and remove an employee from driving a Board-owned/leased vehicle or school bus who has attained a poor driving record showing a pattern of unsafe driving habits, violating safety procedures and rules, or reflecting a critical incident. The Plan covers all employees who operate Board-owned/leased vehicles (District vehicle). The Plan also applies to all applicants for employment in positions that require an employee to maintain a valid driver license or a valid Commercial Drivers License (CDL), including all employees who drive Board-owned/leased school buses. The Plan applies to both the driving of District vehicles as well as any other vehicle operated outside of the workplace. School bus operators and those staff who are involved with the maintenance of Board owned/leased school buses are in safety sensitive positions as described by the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act (OTETA) and are held to higher standards as described in this Plan. Applicants The driving record of all applicants, whose position would require driving a District vehicle of any type, including school buses, shall be reviewed by the Human Resources Department through a check of driving records with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to verify a satisfactory driving history. Each applicant s transcript of driver record will be reviewed. An applicant to be a school bus operator or to work in a safety sensitive position, as defined by Board Policy 4162 Drug and Alcohol Testing of CDL License Holders and Other Employees Who Perform Safety Sensitive Functions, will not be hired if their driving record includes any of the infractions or violations listed in Board Policy Bus Operator Qualifications, Certification, Discipline, and Termination. Employees All employees who request to drive or who are required to drive a District vehicle after initial employment will have their driver s record reviewed by the Transportation Department.

2 MONROE COUNTY /page 2 of 7 Maintenance of Driver s License All employees whose job descriptions require that they hold a valid driver s license must maintain the proper type and class license required for the job that they perform or they will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. School Bus Operators Bus operators shall annually meet the requirements set forth in Policy Bus Operator Qualifications, Certification, Discipline, and Termination, including a review of their driving record, a minimum of eight (8) hours of in-service training, a manual dexterity test administered by the District, and an physical exam qualifying them for a Medical Examiner s Certificate. Drivers may also be required to submit to a follow-up criminal background check if required by State law. Drivers are also subject to random tests required pursuant to Board Policy 4162 Drug and Alcohol Testing of CDL License Holders and Other Employees Who Perform Safety Sensitive Functions.

3 MONROE COUNTY /page 3 of 7 Employee Driver Records Continuing Right to Drive District Vehicles Every employee covered by this plan is expected to establish and maintain an overall driving record that exemplifies careful driving habits. Failure to do so can result disciplinary action as set forth below. Reporting Responsibilities It is the responsibility of the employee to report the occurrence of any of the following by the next scheduled employee workday to their supervisor, the Supervisor of Transportation, or their designees. A. Any accident in which the employee was involved as a driver of a motor vehicle, regardless of the ownership of the vehicle, the location, or time, regardless of fault, even if the employee was not at work. B. Receipt of any traffic citation, excluding parking violations, regardless of the ownership of the vehicle, the location or time. C. Receipt of notification of expiration, suspension, or revocation of driver s license. For school bus operators, notification must be made in time for route coverage along with the copy of the notice. D. Any and all visible damage to the assigned District vehicle or injury to a passenger, no matter how minor, must be reported immediately during normal work hours and after hours to the driver s supervisor, Supervisor of Transportation, or their designees.

4 MONROE COUNTY /page 4 of 7 Failure to report any of the above or making false or misleading reports may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. A driver may be suspended from driving duties, pending Board action. If s/he is found guilty or does not contest the charges will be immediately assigned points and administrative action shall begin. Violation Categories The offenses and/or infractions listed indicate the types of violations for which bus operators will be subject to discipline, and indicate the points associated with them. This list is neither complete nor all-inclusive. Violation Categories 1. No ticket issued preventable accidents with damage or injury Points to be Assigned Crossing private property to avoid traffic containment device 1 3. Following too close 2 4. Speeding - 15 miles or less over posted limits 3 5. Careless driving 3 6. Failing to observe a red light 3 7. Failing to observe a stop sign 3 8. Failing to observe a traffic instruction sign 3 9. Improper lane change Failing to have a vehicle under control Driving on wrong side of road Improper turning Failing to yield enter through highway Failing to yield right-of-way Improper backing 3

5 MONROE COUNTY /page 5 of Improper passing Speeding - 16 miles or more over posted limits Reckless driving Leaving scene of accident School bus driver failing to stop at RR crossing (unloaded) Driving while intoxicated or unlawful blood alcohol content Operating without valid Florida driver's license or with improper (revoked, suspended, etc.) Florida driver's license Leaving scene of accident (with injury or property damage) Leaving scene of accident (school bus involved) School bus driver failing to stop at RR crossing (loaded) Fleeing or attempting to elude police Passing school bus whose red lights are flashing and stop arms are out 28. Using of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle for non-voice interpersonal communication, including, but not limited to, texting, ing, instant messaging, and snap chatting (F.S ) Failing to observe any other established driving law, rule, or regulation. Points to be established 0-10 using the above schedule as a guide to determine the number of points according to similar severity. This includes failing to report violations as defined by this plan. Assessment of Points Points shall not be assessed against an employee under the Safe Driver Plan until court disposition of a traffic citation is completed at which time the employee shall notify his/her terminal supervisor and the Transportation Supervisor of the court disposition. A bus operator who accepts the court ruling of adjudication withheld will be assessed points according to the Plan.

6 MONROE COUNTY /page 6 of 7 A driver who elects or is directed to attend a defensive driving school, when that is a permissible option for settlement of a traffic citation, shall still have points assessed against him or her under the Safe Driver Plan because attendance and successful completion of National Safety Council Defensive Driver Course is included as a disciplinary step in this plan. Before an employee is assessed points, he or she shall receive written notification of the number of points, the infraction, the date of the infraction. Points assessed according to the schedule below will be deleted three (3) years following the date the points were assessed. Failure to abide by this policy and applicable State and Federal laws may be subject to discipline up to and including termination. The accumulation of points within the specified time period will result in disciplinary action as indicated. The following applies to employees required to have a driver s license for their position: Maximum Number Of Points Time Period Assessment Action 1-2 points 1 year Written Warning 3-4 points 1 year Successful completion within one month of a National Safety Council Defensive Driver Course Written reprimand 5-6 points 1 year 1 day suspension without pay 7-9 points 1 year 3 day suspension without pay 10 points 1 year Termination of Employment

7 MONROE COUNTY /page 7 of 7 The following applies to employees who request and are given permission to drive a District vehicle: Maximum Number Of Points Time Period Assessment Action 1-4 points 1 year Written Warning 5-9 points 1 year Successful completion within one month of a National Safety Council Defensive Driver Course Written reprimand 10 points 1 year Termination of Driving Privilege* 15 points 2 years Termination of Driving Privilege* 20 points 3 years Termination of Driving Privilege* * Until points within three years goes below 5 The employee s permission to drive a District vehicle may be revoked by the Superintendent at any time for cause. Notice of Policy Bus Driver Qualifications, Certification, Discipline, and Termination and Policy Safe Driver Plan All bus operators shall receive a copy of this policy and Policy Bus Driver Qualifications, Certification, Discipline, and Termination, and shall acknowledge receipt of these policies, and that they understand the contents of both policies, in writing, by electronic signature, or by some other approved means of electronic verification. All other drivers of District vehicles shall receive a copy Policy Safe Driver Plan (Plan), and shall acknowledge receipt of the Plan, and that they understand the contents of the Plan, in writing, by electronic signature, or by some other approved means of electronic verification