November 4, 2009
Purdue reviews policies with eye to safety, insurance costs, liability
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue is reviewing safety and risks associated with the use of vehicles on university business with an eye to ensuring that anyone driving for university business has met minimum driver qualifications and a has good driving record.The effort is part of Purdue's ongoing risk management review and was prompted by an increase in insurance claims and losses.
"We are reviewing policies at other universities and getting input from key groups on campus," said comptroller John Shipley. "This is still a work in progress. The goal is to create a policy that will improve safety and help reduce costs over time."
A common practice at other institutions is that motor vehicle records are used as a benchmark to determine if an individual has a history of being a safe driver, Shipley said. For those who drive university vehicles daily or volunteers and students, the process generally is more formal. For those who drive infrequently, an honor system sometimes is used in which the driver signs a statement attesting to having met the requirements to operate a vehicle on university business.
"While that seems pretty straightforward, there are many details to consider," Shipley said. "No change is expected until after the first of the year."
Writer: Jeanne Norberg, 765-494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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