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ACTIVITY |
RESPONSIBILITY |
STEPS |
A. |
Ensuring you hold the correct licence and certificate |
Driver |
- Before you book a University vehicle, ensure you hold the correct licence for it. A Car Licence is required for fleet cars, 4WD and any other vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) that does not exceed 4.5 tonnes and that can seat up to 12 adults including the driver (e.g. mini-bus).
To drive a truck, bus or coach with a GVM greater than 4.5 tonnes or a bus which seats more than 12 adults, a heavy vehicle licence is required.
- Comply with all conditions and restrictions on your licence.
- Carry your licence with you when driving.
- In each state, special conditions apply to driving a bus or coach, including the licensing requirements outlined above. Further requirements may apply in specific circumstances, such as driving a bus or coach in proclaimed hazardous areas of Victoria during the snow season. Ensure you are aware of all applicable requirements and comply with them.
- If travelling on a bus or coach fitted with seat belts, you and any travelling companions must wear a seat belt.
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B. |
Ensuring you have the necessary experience and competencies |
Driver |
- University-related driving may involve situations and vehicle types with which you are not familiar, such as driving off-road, operating a vehicle with manual transmission, towing a trailer, etc. Ensure you have the necessary experience and competencies. If at all unsure, discuss it in advance with your supervisor/manager.
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C. |
Performing pre-operation checks and adjustments |
Driver |
- Before conducting any University-related driving, perform the checks specified in the vehicle’s Driver Handbook.
- Note the side of the vehicle on which the fuel tank inlet is located if not familiar with the vehicle. On many cars, an arrow on the fuel gauge shows the relevant side.
- Note the level of fuel in the tank and the odometer reading.
- Adjust the seat, mirrors and controls.
- Note where the parking brake is located (e.g. hand lever, foot pedal, dashboard button, etc.)
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D. |
Obeying all road rules |
Driver |
- Comply with all applicable laws and rules.
- Insist that your passengers also comply with all applicable laws, such as those relating to the use of safety belts.
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E. |
Travelling at moderate speed |
Driver |
- Comply with all speed limits and reduce your speed whenever conditions are adverse, such as poor weather, limited visibility, potential for animals on the road, etc.
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F. |
Adopting a low-risk driving style |
Driver |
- Anticipate potential risks and make appropriate decisions to reduce risks.
- Focus on driving-related tasks. Avoid distractions from electronic devices, passengers, etc.
- Maintain a 5-second clear view ahead of you (this may mean slowing down around blind corners or when approaching crests).
- Maintain an appropriate crash avoidance space around your vehicle at all times in accordance with the table below.
- Do not engage in aggressive driving, such as tailgating, fast cornering, sudden lane changes, hard accelerations, and late braking.
- Keep well away from drivers displaying aggressive or erratic behaviours.
- Avoid overtaking unless all conditions make it safe. Make use of divided sections of the carriageway or overtaking lanes to reduce risks.
- Turning right across oncoming traffic is a common cause of accident. Make sure the road is clear well ahead before proceeding.
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G. |
Preventing, recognizing and controlling fatigue |
Driver |
- Plan your trip so you can comply with the restrictions detailed in the Maximum University-related Driving Times table below.
- Stop and rest if fatigue develops (frequent yawning, blinking or difficulty in keeping eyes open, tendency to stare, etc.), even if you are within the maximum times listed above.
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Maximum University-related Driving Times* |
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Maximum continuous driving time |
2 hours and 30 minutes (minimum 15-minute break required) |
Maximum total drive-and-work time during a 24-hour period (when less than 2 hours of driving are conducted at night time) |
12 hours (minimum 10-hour break required before driving again) |
Maximum total drive-and-work time during a 24-hour period (when 2 hours or more of driving are conducted at night time) |
10 hours (minimum 10-hour break required before driving again) |
*Note 1: these maximum times apply to car drivers. They do not replace the regulatory requirements applicable to bus and truck drivers.
*Note 2: University-related travel (e.g. by plane) is included in the computation of maximum drive-and-work times. Therefore, when returning from an overseas work trip, you may exceed these times if you drive back from the airport without an appropriate rest period beforehand. In such cases, consider organising in advance to be picked up from the airport, or taking a combination of public transport and taxi to get home.
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H. |
Managing the effects of alcohol |
Driver |
- Comply strictly with all legal requirements applicable to drinking alcohol and driving.
- In addition to these legal requirements, you must have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.00 if engaging in University-related driving with any passenger on board.
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I. |
Managing medication side effects |
Driver |
- Some medicines have side effects that may affect your driving. If you are on medication when planning to drive, ensure that you discuss the issue with your treating doctor beforehand.
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J. |
Restricting the use of phones |
Driver |
- Using a phone whilst driving is prohibited unless you adhere to strict conditions. You must hold a full car licence. You can only make or receive a phone call or use audio/music functions provided the phone:
- is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle, or
- can be operated by the driver without touching any part of the phone, and the phone is not resting on any part of the driver's body.
- Using a phone as a navigational device/GPS while driving is prohibited unless it is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle. All other functions (including video calls, texting and emailing) are prohibited.
- Even under those conditions, phone use still increases the risk of accident. Restrict it to situations where the level of risk is low, such as daytime driving on a straight open road with light traffic levels and good weather. Otherwise, park the vehicle in a safe location and turn off the engine before using the phone.
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K. |
Transporting materials or equipment |
Driver |
- Separate heavy or hard items from occupants of the vehicle. Place these items in the boot of a sedan or behind a protective barrier in a station wagon.
- Comply with all applicable requirements for the transport of dangerous goods. Contact the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Department for further information.
- Do not exceed the maximum load and towing capacity specified in the Driver Handbook of your vehicle.
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L. |
Being careful around heavy vehicles |
Driver |
- Leave greater distances than usual between your vehicle and heavy vehicles.
- Give long and heavy vehicles plenty of turning space.
- Truck and bus drivers generally do not have the unrestricted rear view that car drivers have. If you cannot see the driver's face in their side mirror, assume that the driver is unaware of your presence. Avoid placing your vehicle in a driver's blind spots (e.g. beside a truck underneath the line of sight of the side mirrors).
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M. |
Caring for vulnerable road users |
Driver |
- Slow down near pedestrians or areas where pedestrians are likely, such as schools, shopping centres and near public transport. In shared areas, drive at walking speed.
- Give plenty of clearance to cyclists: one metre minimum between your vehicle and them in slow traffic and one-and-a-half metre minimum otherwise.
- Remain aware of motorcyclists. Motorbikes are agile and quick, and they can be hard to notice if not looking out for them.
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N. |
Driving overseas |
Driver |
- Avoid University-related driving in foreign countries. Use safer alternative forms of transport.
- To seek authorisation from your Supervisor/Manager to drive overseas, comprehensively address the risks and risk control measures in the HIRAC Review required under the Travel Policy.
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