Safe Driving

Driver Conduct

All Government employees are reminded that Government vehicles are effectively an extension of the workplace. This means that our occupational health and safety policy and practice require safe, courteous and professional behaviour when driving Government vehicles.

Further information about the responsibilities of government drivers can be found in Section 17 of the Whole of Government Standard Motor Vehicle Policy (SMVP)

Driver Training Programme

Driver training can be provided for any members of staff at the Department of Treasury and Finance and the Department of Premier and Cabinet. There are a range of courses available involving a mixture of classroom and on-road instruction. If you are interested in undertaking a driver training course the following companies may be contacted. There are many other companies offering similar services and you are not restricted to using any one in particular.

• Decca - Altona North Phone: 03 9318 0044
• Jim Murcotts - Carnegie Phone: 1300 555 576
  

Agencies are provided with a Driver Training and Vehicle Familiarisation Programme as part of the purchase price of Ford and Holden vehicles. Toyota does not offer such a programme.

The Driver Training and Vehicle Familiarisation Programmes are designed to:

• improve driver skills, competencies and performance
• reduce vehicle emissions through responsible driving techniques
• enhance driver professionalism and awareness
• encourage positive driver attitudes
• make driving a safer and less stressful experience
• provide drivers with an awareness and appreciation of defensive driving
• save agencies money on repair bills and insurance costs

Courses are on and off road, and include theory sessions emphasising road laws and defensive driving behaviour.

Access to the courses is triggered by the purchase of a Ford and Holden passenger vehicle:

• A voucher is issued by the manufacturer (one voucher per vehicle).
• Vouchers are distributed to departments.
• Departments control the distribution of vouchers.
• It is the responsibility of the drivers undertaking courses to arrange suitable times with the selected provider.
• The Driver Training centre will retain the voucher as a record of attendance
• Vouchers are to be used within six months of issue.
• Providers are identified in the driver-training voucher.

Traffic Infringements

Parking and traffic violations or infringements are the responsibility of individual drivers.

Accidents

Departments usually meet the cost of insurance excess applying to accidental damage. However, staff should be aware that insurance may be void where there is evidence of use of drugs or alcohol, and in such cases the department and the insurer could look to the driver to meet all costs. Staff should also expect follow up from their department in relation to infringements and any accidents with damage over a certain threshold.