Facilities Management

Vehicle Operation Safety Rules

Supervisors and vehicle operators share the responsibility to insure that vehicles are safe operationally and operated in a safe manner. Supervisors and vehicle operators are required to promptly report any unsafe conditions to the Transportation Services Garage, located at the Physical Plant Complex. Following are safety rules that all vehicle operators should know and put into practice.

  1. Make sure you understand your equipment. Ask questions if necessary.
  2. Obey all traffic and parking regulations.
  3. Do not park any vehicle on sidewalks or block fire lanes.
  4. Guard against road mishaps by making prior routine checks for such items as distribution of your load, steering, tires, brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and horn. Regularly clean your windshield, rearview mirror and lenses of all lamps. Report to your supervisor or vehicle coordinator if you feel your vehicle is unsafe.
  5. Do not carry unauthorized passengers. Riding on tailgate is strictly prohibited. Don't exceed the specification for the vehicle. When possible, ride only in seats equipped with safety belts. Vehicles used to transport materials must protect the operator from shifting cargos.
  6. Have a clear area behind your vehicle before backing up. Where rear vision is not clear, an employee, when available, should assist the driver in the backing operation.
  7. Engines must be turned off when the vehicle is not being used or refueled.
  8. Do not ride in the back of pickup trucks.
  9. Only properly licensed drivers may drive licensed vehicles. Check to make sure your license is current.
  10. When using a vehicle from the transportation fleet, be sure to advise the garage attendant of all vehicle defects when you return the vehicle.
  11. Be careful of the many bicyclist and pedestrians on the roadways.
  12. Be aware of the many school buses on campus, state law requires vehicles in both lanes of traffic to stop when students are loading or disembarking school buses.
  13. Hydraulic lift gates on University vehicles must operate in a safe manner, with the operator at the control lever during the complete operation of the lift gate, both lifting and lowering. At all times when the vehicle is in motion, the lift gate shall be latched in a vertical position.
  14. The driver is responsible for the positioning and security of passengers or items in the back of trucks and vans. Passengers are to be carried only in designated areas of vehicles. See that your items are properly secured and stable. Red warning flags should be attached to material that extends beyond the conveyance, as required by Illinois law.