Vehicle Use

Safe Operation/Adherence to Policy, Laws. etc.
1. Babson College requires safe vehicle operation at all times. Departments, student organizations, and drivers are responsible for vehicle safety.
2. Drivers must obey all state and local traffic laws.
3. Drivers who, deliberately or negligently, operate vehicles in a manner that is not in accordance with College policies, even if there is no accident or violation, may face personal liability and/or disciplinary action. In particular, the College will treat reports of vehicle occupants not wearing safety belts or vehicles operated recklessly with utmost seriousness.
Vehicle Operation
1. Golf Cart Operation
2. Drivers should not engage in behavior that might distract from the safe operation of the vehicle.
3. Drivers shall adhere to the governing laws regarding the use of mobile communication devices and other electronic devices while driving.
4. Drivers shall not transport any alcohol, drugs, or other contraband in any College vehicle unless specifically approved and required to do so in conjunction with my duties as an employee of the College.
5. Drivers shall not drive the vehicle "off road" unless it is appropriate for that use.
6. Loud music, the throwing of objects, and other driver distractions are prohibited. Drivers whose passengers are causing distractions should stop the vehicle in a safe place until the distractions have ceased.
7. Unless approved by the appropriate department (HR or The Learning Center), no animals are allowed in fleet vehicles.
8. Drivers shall adhere to the College’s Use of Golf Carts and Utility Vehicles Operation Guidelines
Golf Carts Operation
1. Golf Carts and utility vehicles may not be operated during the hours of darkness, unless they are outfitted with headlamps and tail lamps.
2. The passenger capacity of the vehicle may not be exceeded. The driver is responsible for knowing the passenger capacity of the vehicle.
3. When golf carts and utility vehicles are operated on the walkways of the College, Pedestrians always have the right of way. Operators should be extremely cautious when on the walkways.
4. Golf Carts and utility vehicles may not be operated on PUBLIC WAYS at anytime. This is inclusive of Forest Street, Wellesley Avenue and Great Plain Avenue or any other municipal roadways.
5. Persons operating in violation of the rules or operating in any other unsafe manner may be instructed to park the Golf Cart or utility vehicle and surrender the keys to Public Safety.
6. Golf Carts and utility vehicles leased by camp programs may only be operated by staff of that program.
7. Only employees who have a valid operator's license and are 18 or over may operate golf carts controlled by Babson College
Authorized Drivers Only
1. Drivers may not authorize anyone else to drive. If more than one person is going to drive the vehicle, each driver must be authorized in accordance with the requirements of this Policy. All drivers must be listed on the trip sheet. The use of an unauthorized driver may result in the loss of departmental or organization privileges.
Drugs and Alcohol
1. Drivers may not consume alcohol or drugs (including medications that would impair the driver) prior to or while operating a fleet vehicle. Drivers found operating College vehicles in violation of this rule are subject to College disciplinary proceedings, which may result in sanctions up to and including discharge from employment or suspension from the College. This is in addition to possible criminal prosecution.
2. Alcoholic beverages and/or drugs may not be transported in College vehicles. The driver is responsible for enforcing this provision.
Seat Belts
1. The driver and all passengers must be seated and must fasten seat belts, in accordance with Massachusetts law, before the vehicle is put in motion. The driver should visually check for seat belt fastening and also verbally remind the passengers. The driver must refuse to take any passengers who refuse to cooperate and may not operate the vehicle if passengers do not have seat belts on.
2. Seat belts must remain fastened until the vehicle reaches its destination.
Traffic and Parking Violations
1. The department, organization, and driver are responsible for any tickets, toll violations or parking fines received during a trip. A driver cited for a preventable moving violation or who faces criminal charges, including driving recklessly, driving to endanger, leaving the scene of an accident, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, may face additional disciplinary action.
2. Tickets received on campus are the responsibility of the driver and/or the sponsoring department or organization.
3. Drivers who fail to inform the Department of the Public Safety Department about violations received while using a Fleet Vehicle may lose eligibility to operate a Fleet Vehicle for up to one year.
4. Verified notification to the Public Safety Department by anyone (local police, community members, etc.) of erratic or unsafe operation of a Fleet Vehicle will result in appropriate disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension of the driver’s fleet privileges, and disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Children
1. The College does not allow childred under the age of 12 to be transported in Fleet Vehicles, with two exceptions:
  1. Children under 12 years of age are allowed as passengers in Fleet Vehicles ONLY when the following conditions are met:
  2. The child’s parent is a faculty or staff member who has been officially assigned the task of representing the College on a trip.
  3. Someone other than the driver will care for the child. The child cannot be the responsibility of the driver while she/he is operating a Fleet Vehicle.
  4. Children are secured in age appropriate safety restraints provided by the parent. The College does not provide car seats or other restraints.
  5. No more than two children are in the Fleet Vehicle for the trip.
  6. Children may not be seated in the front seat of the Fleet Vehicle.
  7. The Bernon Center is allowed to transport children under the age of 12 ONLY when the following conditions have been met:
  8. The driver must be at least 21 years old. The children in the van cannot be the responsibility of the driver while she/he is operating a Fleet Vehicle.
  9. There must be a second student or employee in the Fleet Vehicle to address concerns with the children. If this person is not 21 or older, she/he is allowed to drive only if the older driver is not able to perform her/his duty as driver.
  10. Both the driver and the person responsible for the children must be College authorized drivers.
  11. Children must be 10 years or older.
  12. If minor children are driven by a Babson College student, they are to be transported in or around the Wellesley area only. For longer trips in a Fleet Vehicle, a Babson employee must drive the van.
  13. Children may not be seated in the front seat of the vehicle
2. The Director of the Public Safety Department or the Risk Manager will resolve any dispute about child passengers and may authorize exceptions to the provisions of this policy. Their decision is final.
Trip Time and Distance Limitations
1. When transporting students more than 180 miles or three hours (one way), a second authorized driver is required and driving responsibilities must be shared. A driver may not drive a College Fleet Vehicle for more than 180 miles or three hours (one way) at any one time without a rest period of two hours.
2. All academic trips must be authorized by a department.
3. If students are being transported, a transportation service must be outsourced if traveling farther than 600 miles (one way) or if the trip is expected to extend later than 2:00 AM. Exceptions must be approved by the Risk Manager or the Director of the Public Safety Department.
Cargo/Carrying/Towing Restrictions
1. With the exception of Facilities Management or ITSD, drivers may not carry any item(s) on the vehicle’s roof, even if there is a roof rack, or with anything protruding from the vehicle window or door.
2. With the exception of Facilities Management or ITSD drivers may not use Fleet Vehicles to move equipment or other property.
3. With the exception of Facilities Management, drivers may not push or tow other vehicles, materials, people or anything else on a fleet vehicle even if it is appropriately equipped.
4. With the exception of Facilities Management, no hazardous cargo is permitted in fleet vehicles.
5. All baggage and equipment must be properly stored and secured.
Signals—Drivers must use appropriate turn and lane change signals.
Speed Bumps and Potholes - Drivers must slow down and use caution when driving over speed bumps or potholes.
Forward/Reverse Motion
1. Most vehicle accidents occur while a vehicle is traveling in reverse. Drivers should avoid backing up whenever possible, such as by choosing a pull-through parking space.
2. When reverse travel is necessary, drivers should be attentive, proceed slowly and use back-up cameras and mirrors.
3. Drivers should never back up on a highway or ramps.
Passengers
1. Only passengers connected with the event, activity, or College business are permitted to ride in College vehicles. A list of passengers is to be submitted to the Public Safety Department, along with the completed Pre-Trip Inspection Form.
2. Generally speaking, a driver may not allow another passenger to operate the vehicle, unless that person is listed as an operator on the trip sheet and/or is approved by the Public Safety Department.
3. Picking up hitchhikers is strictly prohibited.
Weather
1. For student organizations the Coordinator of Student Engagement, in coordination with the Public Safety Director, may cancel trips or prohibit vehicle use because of adverse weather conditions.
2. In the event that adverse weather, including rain, snow, ice or strong winds, drivers should take special precautions. It is recommended that drivers find a safe space to pull over and stop if feasible. If it’s safe to keep driving, slow down, turn on headlights, keep both hands on the steering wheel, and be alert for other vehicles. Roads are more slippery at the start of rain since surface as oil and grease form slick films that are not washed away until after 20-30 minutes of hard rain.
3. When there is any doubt about ability to operate the vehicle safely because of deteriorating weather conditions, drivers should pull over to a safe location until adverse weather conditions have passed.