The policy enumerated hereafter applies to anyone who operates
any vehicle owned, leased and/or insured by Cecil County, Maryland.
Failure to comply with any of these regulations could result in loss
of driving privileges, disciplinary action and/or termination.
[Added 11-13-2012 by Ord.
No. 2012-12]
A. Applicability.
This section shall apply to the use and operation of all County-owned
or -leased vehicles that are primarily designed for the transportation
of passengers and shall apply to pickup trucks or other trucks whose
use or intended purpose is to transport personnel, as well as materials
and supplies. This section shall apply only to those operators of
vehicles and vehicles titled in the name of the County, excluding
law enforcement operators and vehicles.
B. Identification
and assignment to County personnel.
(1) All
vehicles utilized or leased by agencies of the County shall be titled
in or leased by the County and may have the using agency also listed
on the title or lease. All vehicles owned or operated by the County
shall have license tags issued by the state that clearly designate
the plate as being issued to a political subdivision and shall have
a decal placed on each side that clearly identifies the vehicle as
being owned or operated by the County, except unidentified police
vehicles.
(2) County
vehicles shall be assigned to departments of the County government
by the County Executive as approved in the annual budget. Except as
otherwise prohibited by law, vehicles may be reassigned between departments
by the County Executive or his designee when assigned vehicles are
no longer required for the efficient, effective operation of the department
to which the vehicle is assigned.
(3) No
vehicle shall be operated by an individual whose record indicates
a tendency of being accident prone; or whose driving habits or general
health condition is poor; or whose record indicates a lack of regard
for County property; or who has not properly used or maintained, in
a careful manner, a previously assigned vehicle.
(4) When
not in use, all vehicles shall be available for other employees requiring
transportation for official business. During normal business hours,
mileage allowances for use of privately owned vehicles shall not be
allowed if a County vehicle is available.
(5) No
County vehicle may be operated by any person who is not an officer
or employee of the County.
C. Rules
for operation.
(1) The
operator of a County-owned vehicle shall be personally responsible
for the vehicle assigned to or operated by him. Should damage result
through misuse or gross negligence, the operator may be required to
make restitution to the County. If the vehicle is damaged beyond repair,
such restitution shall be in the amount of the then-current wholesale
value of the vehicle as reported in the National Auto Dealer Association's
official guidebook. The employee, having made such restitution, will
then be entitled to the damaged vehicle.
(2) The
operator of a County-owned vehicle is charged with the responsibility
to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of the vehicle
and its contents from theft and vandalism. When leaving a County-owned
vehicle, the operator is to lock the vehicle and take the keys with
him, except in those instances when parking in a commercial parking
garage where the operator is required to leave the keys in the vehicle.
When parked on County-owned or -operated lots, keys shall either be
retained by the operator or turned in to the designated custodian.
(3) County-owned
vehicles shall be used for official business only and, when permanently
assigned to personnel required to respond to emergency calls on a
twenty-four-hour basis, for travel directly to and from home and the
designated place of work. Use by anyone of a County-owned vehicle
for personal business, i.e., except as permitted herein, driving to
and from work; transporting members of the family; children to and
from school; shopping; or for pleasure is prohibited.
(4) County
officers and employees may not accept the use, in the performance
of County business, of a motor vehicle which is not titled to the
County, unless the vehicle's owner receives a reasonable compensation.
If such vehicles are to be operated by anyone other than a County
officer or employee on official business, the additional insurance
coverage and the cost thereof shall be paid by the using department
through the Director of Finance's Office. A written request for
such arrangements for use of a vehicle not titled to the County to
conduct official business shall be submitted to the County Executive.
(5) Willful
disregard of these regulations will be considered just cause for disciplinary
action under the County Personnel Law and civil service regulations.
(6) All
drivers must have a driver's license which is valid in the state.
(7) All
traffic and parking laws are to be obeyed. Posted speed limits are
not to be exceeded, nor is the vehicle to be operated above safe driving
speeds for road conditions. All violation fines shall be the responsibility
of the driver involved.
(8) All
accidents are to be reported by vehicle operators to their agency
heads immediately, even though another vehicle is not involved or
there are no apparent injuries or damages. A written report must be
forwarded to the Director of Administration immediately by the agency
head.
(9) A
daily travel log shall be maintained in each County-owned automobile,
to be turned in to agency heads on a weekly basis. Logs must indicate
all destinations, stops and miles commuted to and from residences
and principal work locations by the drivers, even if such vehicles
are driven by different individuals. Agencies are required to have
these logs available for audit purposes for a minimum of three years.
(10) County-owned vehicles are to be efficiently maintained. Vehicles
assigned to agencies unable to provide scheduled maintenance are to
be guided by oil changes, lubrications and maintenance recommendations
of the manufacturer. All warranties are to be exercised.
(11) The use of County credit cards is restricted to County-owned automobiles,
and under no circumstances are such cards to be left in the custody
of service station attendants or other persons not employed by the
County.