DRIVING WHILE ON COMPANY BUSINESS

In performing the duties of your job, you may be required to drive a Company owned/leased vehicle or your personal vehicle. This Policy summarizes some of the key issues set forth in the VERITA VEHICLE POLICY that must be signed by an employee driving a vehicle on Company business. The purpose of this policy is to define the rules and responsibilities required to ensure the safe and legal operation of any vehicle driven under the scope of your employment.

As you represent VTC in the community, you are responsible for operating a vehicle according to local, state and federal law as well as this Policy. Violation of these laws and rules may result in the removal of driving privileges on behalf of the Company as well as potential termination of employment.

Policies regarding the care and maintenance of Company vehicles and reporting vehicle accidents are addressed in the COMPANY PROPERTY and GETTING STARTED sections of the Employee Handbook, respectively.
 

Driver Qualifications

Each employee authorized to drive a vehicle while conducting Company business – whether the vehicle is Company-owned or a personal vehicle – must have a valid driver’s license issued in the employee state of residence and for the class of vehicle being operated. The employee must further meet the following qualifications:
 

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Must have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record as determined by the Company.

• Must pass a VTC sanctioned drug test and background check.

• Must possess a CDL

VTC reserves the right to determine what constitutes a satisfactory driving record. Not all VTC employees will meet the criteria to be able to drive on behalf of the Company, whether in a Company car, rental, or their own vehicle. The following include, but are not limited to events that will preclude an employee from driving on Company business:
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• Having more than three (3) moving violations or chargeable accidents in the prior three (3) years.

• Having one (1) or more major driving violations in the past three (3) years.

• Drivers not holding a valid U.S. or Canadian Driver License.

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Major driving violations include:

 

• Driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license due to driving record

• Speeding 20+ miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

• Reckless or careless driving or drag racing or speed contest.

• Illegally passing another vehicle, resulting in an accident.

• Driving on the wrong side of the road.

• Driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (DUI, DWI).

• Possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a vehicle.

• Possession of a controlled substance.

• Evading a police officer.

• Failure to comply with implied consent laws.

• Filing a false vehicle report.

• Felony involving a motor vehicle.

• Hit and run, eluding, or leaving the scene of an accident.

• Vehicular assault.

• Manslaughter with or without gross negligence.

 

Reporting Obligations

 

You are required to immediacy notify your Supervisor of any of the following occurrences:

 

• All accidents in a Company vehicle.

• All accidents in a personal vehicle while conducting Company business.

• All moving violations and/or convictions that occur while conducting Company business while either in a Company or a personal vehicle.

• Any incident involving driving or operating a Company or personal vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs regardless of whether such event occurs on or off Company time.

• Any suspension, revocation or invalidation of your driver’s license.

 

A failure to report any violation, conviction, accident or incident, or any suspension, revocation, expiration or invalidation of licensure, as stated above, may subject the employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

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Disciplinary / Corrective Action

 

Should your driving record become unsatisfactory, you may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of your employment. In certain situations, you may be required to a take a defensive driving course outside of business hours and at your own expense, unless prohibited by state law. Typically, such a course would be required after a second chargeable accident. A failure to report any violation, conviction, accident or incident, or any suspension, revocation, expiration or invalidation of licensure, as stated above, may subject the employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

 

COVERED EXPENSES

 

The following expenses for those employees with Company owned or leased vehicles will be borne by VTC:

 

• All routine and unscheduled maintenance - all such expenses will be managed and approved by the fleet management Company. Certain expenses will require prior authorization.

• Fuel – Each vehicle is issued a fuel card which enables you to fuel up at most stations. You are to keep this card in the vehicle it belongs to. You are not to use the fuel card for personal use. You are expected to enter the accurate odometer when prompted at the pump and keep your personal identification number (PIN) in a secure location. The PIN identifies you as the purchaser of fuel and should never be divulged to any other party. You are to purchase fuel only with the card, and not miscellaneous goods such as soft drinks or candy. Any unauthorized use of the fuel card may subject the employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

• Insurance 

• Toll Road Fees - incurred in the conduct of VTC business

 

Expenses not covered by VTC include, but are not limited to, the following:

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• Traffic or parking violations

• Expenses including cost of repair resulting from accidents deemed to be the result of your own recklessness or carelessness will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Damage costs will be employee payroll deducted weekly.

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VEHICLES

 

VTC employs a fleet of vehicles including:

 

• Bucket trucks

• Drill trucks (used to pull trailers with construction equipment)

• Support trucks (pulling cable reels and hauling materials)

• Utility trucks (assigned to project managers and field supervisors)

• SUVs (assigned to mapping field staff)

 

Bucket Trucks

 

Employees designated as “Foreman” will be assigned responsibility for each aerial bucket truck employed in the field.

Responsibilities will include:

 

Documenting periodic vehicle inspections as required by VTC’s Property Manager.

Working with VTC’s Property Manager to schedule periodic maintenance.

Working with VTC’s Property Manager to schedule repairs.

 

If a bucket truck under the stewardship of a Foreman is damaged, a determination will be made as to whether the damage is due to the Foreman’s negligence or fault (if the vehicle is involved in a moving accident). If it is determined that the damage was caused by the Foreman’s negligence or fault, the Foreman will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Damage and repair costs as a result of negligence or at fault will be subject to reimbursement by means of weekly payroll deduction. The determination of negligence will only be made by a senior member of VTC’s management after reviewing all the facts associated with the damage.

 

Drill Trucks

 

Employees designated as “Foreman” will be assigned responsibility for each drill truck (i.e. a truck used to transport a boring rig into the field).

 

Responsibilities will include:

 

• Documenting periodic vehicle inspections as required by VTC’s Property Manager.

• Working with VTC’s Property Manager to schedule periodic maintenance.

• Working with VTC’s Property Manager to schedule repairs.

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If a drill truck under the stewardship of a Foreman is damaged, a determination will be made as to whether the damage is due to the Foreman’s negligence or fault (if the vehicle is involved in a moving accident). If it is determined that the damage was caused by the Foreman’s negligence or fault, the Foreman will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Damage and repair costs as a result of negligence or at fault will be subject to reimbursement by means of weekly payroll deduction. The determination of negligence will only be made by a senior member of VTC’s management after reviewing all the facts associated with the damage.

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Support Trucks

 

One employee designated as “Foreman” will be assigned responsibility for each support truck (i.e. a truck used to pull cable reels and haul materials into the field).

 

Responsibilities will include:

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• Documenting periodic vehicle inspections as required by VTC’s Property Manager.

• Working with VTC’s Property Manager to schedule periodic maintenance.

• Working with VTC’s Property Manager to schedule repairs.

 

If a support truck under the stewardship of a Foreman is damaged, a determination will be made as to whether the damage is due to the Foreman’s negligence or fault (if the vehicle is involved in a moving accident). If it is determined that the damage was caused by the Foreman’s negligence or fault, the Foreman will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Damage and repair costs as a result of negligence or at fault will be subject to reimbursement by means of weekly payroll deduction. The determination of negligence will only be made by a senior member of VTC’s management after reviewing all the facts associated with the damage.

 

Utility Trucks

 

Various employees assigned to supervisory and management positions in the Company will be provided with the use of a utility truck to be used to transport the employee to construction job sites.

 

Responsibilities will include:

 

• Documenting periodic vehicle inspections as required by VTC’s Property Manager.

• Working with VTC’s Property Manager to schedule periodic maintenance.

• Working with VTC’s Property Manager to schedule repairs.

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If a utility truck under the stewardship of a supervisory or management staff is damaged, a determination will be made as to whether the damage is due to the individual’s negligence or fault (if the vehicle is involved in a moving accident). If it is determined that the damage was caused by the manager’s negligence or fault, the manager will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Damage and repair costs as a result of negligence or at fault will be subject to reimbursement by means of weekly payroll deduction. The determination of negligence will only be made by a senior member of VTC’s management after reviewing all the facts associated with the damage.

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SUVs

 

Individuals employed as walk-out engineers working in the Design and Engineering Department will be provided with the use of an SUV to be used to transport the Employee to various field sites to collect data.

 

Responsibilities will include:

 

Documenting periodic vehicle inspections as required by VTC’s Property Manager.

Working with VTC’s Property Manager to schedule periodic maintenance.

Working with VTC’s Property Manager to schedule repairs.

 

If an SUV under the stewardship of a walk-out engineer is damaged, a determination will be made as to whether the damage is due to the individual’s negligence or fault (if the vehicle is involved in a moving accident). If it is determined that the damage was caused by the walk-out engineer’s negligence or fault, the individual will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Damage and repair costs as a result of negligence or at fault will be subject to reimbursement by means of weekly payroll deduction. The determination of negligence will only be made by a senior member of VTC’s management after reviewing all the facts associated with the damage.

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PERSONAL USE OF COMPANY VEHICLES

 

Only those employees that have been assigned the use of a utility truck or SUV may use these vehicles for commuting to and from work, and for no other purpose. No other Employee may use a vehicle entrusted to him for any personal use. No vehicles should be used without prior approval from the President. If a Company vehicle is issued for overnight use, family members are prohibited from driving the Company vehicle as well as commuting as passengers.

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