Operating Policies and Procedures Manual

Effective Date:  09/01/97
Policy Number:  05-37
Section:  Finance and Administration
Subject:  Motor Vehicle Safety Program
 

Each State Agency shall implement the State Vehicle Safety Program and maintain records for their employees as set forth below:

1. Authorization to operate State vehicles and private vehicles on State business shall be given only to employees who are duly licensed in accordance with the requirements of all applicable Arkansas State Laws and have completed both Form VSP-1 - "Authorization to Operate State Vehicles and Private Vehicles on State Business" and VSP-2 - "Authorization to Obtain Traffic Violation Record". Each Agency is required to keep a photocopy of the employee's driver's license and the Forms VSP-1 and VSP-2 completed by each employee in their Agency files. State Agencies should contact the State CDL-Coordinator of DFA-Revenue Division-Office of Driver Services to determine the specific driver's license that is required for the operation of each type of motor vehicle.
2. Traffic Violation Records for each employee shall be updated weekly from the Office of Driver Services, DFA-Division of Revenue, P.O. Box 1272, Room 1130, Charles D. Ragland Building, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203. In accordance with the Schedule of Points for Accidents and Traffic Violations, point values are assigned for all at fault accidents and traffic violations.

Administrative action is required for the accumulation of points as follows:

• Drivers who have accumulated 10 through 13 points on their current traffic violation report - Authorization to drive on state business shall be reviewed by the Agency Director. It is recommended that the driver be required to complete a defensive driving course.
• Drivers who have accumulated 14 through 17 points on their current traffic violation report - Authorization to drive on state business shall be suspended for no less than five (5) working days. Authorization shall be reinstated only after evaluation and approval by the Agency Director. A defensive driving course must be complete within sixty (60) days after the suspension began.
• Drivers who have accumulated 18 through 23 points on their current traffic violation report - Authorization to drive on state business shall be suspended for no less than ten (10) working days. Authorization shall be reinstated only after evaluation and approval by the Agency Director. A defensive driving course must be completed within sixty (60) days after the suspension began.
• Drivers who have accumulated over 24 points on their current traffic violation report - Authorization to drive on state business shall be suspended for no less than twenty (20) working days. Authorization shall be reinstated only after evaluation and approval by the State Insurance Commissioner. A defensive driving course must be completed within sixty (60) days after the suspension began.
• DRIVERS WHOSE DRIVING PRIVILEGES HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED OR REVOKED BY THE OFFICE OF DRIVER SERVICES SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED TO DRIVE ON STATE BUSINESS FOR THE DURATION OF THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION. DRIVERS WITH RESTRICTED PERMITS MAY BE AUTHORIZED TO DRIVE ON STATE BUSINESS AS ALLOWED BY THE RESTRICTED PERMIT.

Employment may be terminated, at the discretion of the Agency Director, if driving privileges have been revoked and failure to drive adversely impacts the operations of that State Agency. The Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services or the National Safety Council must approve defensive driving courses. The defensive driving course is a valuable teaching aid in correcting unsatisfactory driving habits. It is recommended that when the Safety Program requires a defensive driving course, the cost of the course be at the employee's expense and not the Agency's expense.

3. Each employee authorized to operate State vehicles and private vehicles on State business should keep a copy of VSP-1 and VSP-2. A copy of the State Vehicle Safety Program is also available at http://finance.astate.edu/vehiclesafetyforms.htm.
4. State Agencies will be responsible for reporting all claims or losses, which involve any bodily injury or property damage. Claims should be reported to Ramsey, Krug, Ferrel and Lensing, telephone number during regular business hours: (501) 614-1169 or after regular business hours: (501) 664-9252 within 24 hours of occurrence. Incidents should also be reported to Facilities Management, 972-2066, on the first available business day after the accident. FAILURE BY AN AGENCY, TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT ON A TIMELY BASIS MAY RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF THAT AGENCY'S COVERAGE UNDER THE STATE VEHICLE POLICY.
5. Drivers who have had an accident must attend a defensive driving course within sixty (60) days following the occurrence.
6. The Insurance Identification Card provided by the Insurance Company must be kept in the insured vehicle at all times.
7. State Agencies may impose additional or more stringent requirements than those included in the State Vehicle Safety Program. Agency records for the Safety Program are subject to audit by the Risk Management Division.

SCHEDULE OF POINTS

Points to be assigned in accordance with traffic violation records:

1. Accident - 3
2. Careless/negligent driver - 3
3. Child restraint - 0
4. CMV DUI control substance - 14
5. CMV leaving scene - 6
6. CMV refuse test - 14
7. Defective brakes - 0
8. Defective equipment - 0
9. Defective lights - 0
10. Defective tires -0
11. Driving left of center - 3
12. Driving without lights - 3
13. Driving while revoked - 3
14. Driving while suspended - 3
15. DUI.02 or more - 14
16. DWI.04 or more - 14
17. DWI.10 or more - 14
18. DWI - 14
19. Evading arrest with a motor vehicle - 8
20. Failure to dim lights - 3
21. Failure to keep a proper look out - 3
22. Failure to maintain control - 3
23. Failure to obey traffic signal - 3
24. Failure to report traffic accident - 3
25. Failure to signal - 3
26. Failure to yield - 3
27. Failure to stop and render aid - 3
28. Following too close - 3
29. Following too close CMV - 3
30. Going wrong way - 3
31. Hazardous driving - 3
32. Impeding traffic - 3
33. Improper backing - 3
34. Improper lane change CMV - 3
35. Improper entrance/exit (avoid intersection) - 3
36. Improper towing - 3
37. Improper turn -3
38. Inattention - 3
39. Leave the scene of an accident - 8
40. Negligent Homicide (1 year revocation of DL) - 0
41. No liability insurance - 0
42. Other violations - 3
43. Passing on wrong side - 3
44. Passing stopped school bus - 8
45. Prohibited pass - 3
46. Racing - 8
47. Ran off the road - 3
48. Reckless driving CMV - 8
49. Refuse intox test - 14
50. Seatbelt not used - 0
51. Speeding 0-10 - 3
52. Speeding 11-14 - 4
53. Speeding 15-20 - 4
54. Speeding 21-30 - 5
55. Speeding 31 or more - 8
56. Speeding 0-14 CMV - 3
57. Speeding 15 or more CMV - 6
58. Unattended vehicle with motor running - 0
59. Unsafe driving - 3

EXPLANATIONS

1. Seatbelts will be used at all times by drivers and front seat passengers of State vehicles. This rule also applies to drivers and front seat passengers using private vehicles for State business. Exceptions will only be allowed in compliance with AR Code Ann. 27-37-702.
2. Points assigned for at fault accidents shall also apply to accidents for which no Police Report was made (e.g. accidents occurring on parking lots, etc.).
3. Insurance is required to operate a private vehicle on State business. Insurance carried will be at least that required by State Law. No mileage reimbursement will be allowed unless insurance is carried on the vehicle that is used to accumulate mileage.
4. Accident and traffic violations must be reported to employer 1) within 24 hours of occurrence or by the following business day when operating a State vehicle and 2) within 7 days of occurrence when operating a private vehicle on state business.

Only one defensive driving course can be completed each year.

This page is maintained by Cassey Tune
Last updated on 07/25/2007