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Use of Town
TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER
Use of Town Vehicles Policy
Policy No. 116
Approved: September 11, 2023
Resolution: 23-180
1.0 Policy Statement
1.1 The Town of Bridgewater may allow employee access to Town vehicles to assist
the employee in performing the duties related to their role within the
organization.
1.2 The Town of Bridgewater requires employees to operate Town vehicles in a
safe and economical manner and requires that any individual using a Town
vehicle agree, in writing, to the terms of use contained within this policy.
1.2 In this policy, Town vehicle means a vehicle owned, rented, or leased by the
Town or the Public Service Commission.
1.3 This policy has been developed to assist employees in meeting the Town's
expectations regarding vehicle use and to ensure compliance with the
requirements of the Town's Insurance providers and the Canada Revenue
Agency.
1.4 This policy applies to all Town employees, including employees with
Bridgewater Police Services, volunteer fire fighters and employees contracted
through the Public Service Commission. This policy relates to all Town-owned
vehicles, which include all motorized forms of transportation that are used to
transport people or goods/supplies.
2.0 Use of Vehicles
2.1 The Town may authorize the use of Town vehicles within the following
categories:
2.1.1 Employees, who drive Town vehicles to carry out their work duties, are
not authorized to use those vehicles for personal use or to carry
passengers (including family members) except for operational
requirements.
Use of Town
2.1.2 Employees who drive emergency vehicles to carry out their work duties
are not authorized to use the vehicle for personal use nor to carry
passengers
(including
family
members)
except
for
operational
requirements.
2.1.3 Employees, who drive Town vehicles to carry out their work duties and,
due to the nature of those duties, are authorized to use those vehicles for
personal use. Family members and other passengers may travel in the
vehicle, when the vehicle is authorized for personal use. Any person other
than the designated employee is prohibited from driving a Town vehicle
without express permission from the Department Director.
2.2 In operating a Town vehicle, employees shall abide by all traffic laws, signals, and
markings.
2.3 Any authorized user is responsible to hold a valid driver's license appropriate to the
class for any Town vehicle being operated. Employees shall provide the Town with
a valid driver's license and authorization to obtain annual driver's abstract from
Access Nova Scotia for the purposes of insurance and verification.
2.4 Employees shall operate a Town vehicle in a manner that is a positive
representation of the Town be courteous at all times and respect the rights of other
drivers and pedestrians.
2.5 Employees shall abide by all Town policies and by-laws while operating a Town
vehicle, including the restriction that employees may not smoke in a Town vehicle
or permit others to do so.
2.6 Employees must abide by the Motor Vehicle Act in the operation of a Town vehicle,
including but not limited to adherence to regulations on the use of cellular devices,
seatbelts, and speed. Any violation of the Act and its regulations may result in
employee discipline and/or employee responsibility to pay for any fines or damages
resulting from the violation.
2.7 Employees using Town vehicles for private purposes without proper authorization
can be held responsible for public liability and property damage claims in the event
of an accident. Employees using vehicles without the appropriate authorization will
be subject to corrective discipline up to and including dismissal.
2.8 An employee may not permit an unauthorized individual to operate a Town vehicle.
Authorization to use a Town vehicle can only be granted to employees through the
Departmental Director, and in the case of volunteers and members of Council,
authorization can only be granted by the Chief Administrative Officer or designate.
4.0 Record Keeping
Use of Town
4.1 Employees must fully and accurately complete all records and/or logs that might be
developed and updated from time to time related to the operation of the Town
vehicle. Records may be for Town purposes, insurance and/or licensing
requirements.
4.2 Department directors shall ensure that vehicle diaries are maintained and
monitored for all personal use and for compliance with Canada Revenue Agency
rules.
5.0 Cell Phone/Smart Device use
5.1 Refrain from use of cell phones and any handheld devices while operating the
vehicle including while at stop signs/stop lights. Unless the vehicle is parked with
the gear selector in P, the phone or device should not be in your hands nor mounted
on the dash or front windshield.
6.0 Accident Reporting
6.1 Mandatory Incident Reporting, refer to "What to do in the case of an Accident"
which requires reporting to Supervisor and Town Officials. Employees are also
required to complete an Accident Report as required by insurance and the Towns
Occupational Health and Safety Policy/Procedures
7.0 Exceptions to this Policy
7.1 Any laws, legislation or regulations specified by provincial or federal government
or those that relate public transit, police and/or emergency services will be
considered to prevail when there are differences.