Operating Rules & Exceptions
Operating Rules Specific to University Vans
Vehicle Capacity: Vehicle capacity for university vans is limited to 12 passengers (including the driver). Transporting more than 12 passengers is prohibited.
Extra Load: George Fox University prohibits 12 passenger vans from pulling trailers or using rooftop carriers.
Travel to Mexico: Drivers of university vehicles are prohibited from driving into Mexico because of issues of stranded vehicles and lack of insurance coverage.
Animals: No animals are allowed in university vehicles except service animals.
Personal Use and Intended Use: It will be the responsibility of the sponsoring department and the driver to ensure that any group signing up for a trip uses the vehicle only for the purpose specified on the “Vehicle Reservation Request” form.
The use of vehicles for personal use before, during or after the group’s function is prohibited. In addition, destination changes are not allowed without notifying Plant Services in advance.
If the vehicle is driven by an unauthorized driver or used for a function for which it was not assigned, the offending group and/or individual may have their vehicle usage privileges suspended.
Children: No children under 13 years of age, including children of students, staff or faculty of George Fox, are allowed to ride in any of the university vehicles unless granted special permission by the director of environmental health and safety or his/her designee.
Operating Rules for All Vehicles Used for Transporting Others for University-Sponsored Events
Laws and Regulations: Drivers are required to comply with all local, state and federal traffic laws and regulations.
Parking and Traffic Fines: Drivers are personally responsible for any parking and traffic fines.
Seatbelt Usage: While a driver is operating a vehicle on behalf of George Fox University, all occupants of the vehicle must at all times use the restraints as they were designed to be used.
Cell Phones and Distracting Devices: Drivers are not to use cell phones or other distracting devices while vehicles are in motion or waiting at stoplights, stop signs, traffic jams, etc. Cell phones are only to be used by passengers or by drivers who have pulled over and stopped in a safe location. Drivers of personal vehicles may use a hands-free device, following applicable state law.
Speed Limit: Drivers must comply with all speed limit laws without exception.
Passenger Capacity: No driver shall transport more passengers in a vehicle than the vehicle is designed to carry. In most cases, capacity is the same as the number of factory-installed seat belts in the vehicle.
Medications: Before and during university-sponsored trips, drivers must not use medications or other substances that may cause drowsiness or other physical or mental impairment.
Front Passenger Seat: On any trip with one or more passengers, the driver must ensure that the front passenger seat is occupied and that the person sitting in this seat remains awake and serves as the navigator. The driver should inform this passenger that it is his or her responsibility to help the driver stay alert and to assist with directions and maps. A driver going off duty should not become the navigator unless there is no other passenger who can serve as navigator.
Hitchhikers: Picking up hitchhikers is prohibited.
Weather: Drivers and department sponsors of student trips are responsible for obtaining weather information before and during daily travel to determine whether road or weather conditions present hazards on the planned travel route.
If vehicles are already on the road and weather conditions become hazardous, it is strongly recommended that the sponsor stop the trip and delay or cancel travel planned for that day in order to insure the safety of all passengers and drivers. If traction devices or chains are required or needed, the driver must be able to put them on properly; otherwise, the trip must be delayed or canceled.
Authorized Passengers: Only university faculty, employees, registered George Fox students, and other authorized passengers are allowed to be transported in fleet vehicles. Authorized passengers must be approved by the sponsoring department and would include guests, spouses, or volunteers traveling with staff involved with a university event.
Driving Time Limit: For university-sponsored business or curricular or co-curricular events, no individual driver is allowed to drive more than eight hours in any 24-hour period. For daytime travel, drivers are allowed to drive four hours without a break. For nighttime travel, they are allowed to drive only two hours without a break. Driving is prohibited between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. without the permission of a provost/vice president, dean or the athletic director.
Personal Property: The university is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen personal property.
Policy Exceptions
Drivers who do not meet the criteria set forth in this policy will not be allowed to drive university-owned vehicles or transport employees, students or others on university business in any vehicle until they are reinstated. If driving is an essential requirement of an employee’s position, further disciplinary action may be imposed, up to and including termination.
Any exceptions to this policy are rare and must be approved by the respective vice president or provost and the vice president for student life based on a sound rationale.