Safe Driving
Employees must be approved by their department head or supervisor to drive a university owned vehicle [EN1] . Prior to driving a University-owned vehicle, a person must become a University Authorized Driver. The Driver Authorization process can be located at the Office of Risk Management. Prior to requesting Authorization to drive, the Driver Safety Course must be completed; the on-line training module can be found on the Office of Risk Management website. The course will print a certificate after completion. This certificate is the only record of your training and must be provided when requesting to become an Authorized Driver.
If serious citations on their driving record occur, the employee may not be authorized to drive. Employees should obey all traffic laws, understand that vehicle accidents require immediate reporting to the supervisor, and are responsible for addressing any traffic citations received while driving. Vehicle inspection logs need to be maintained.
View LSU'S VEHICLE USE PROGRAM
15 Passenger Van Operation
Because a 15-passenger van is substantially longer and wider than a car, it:
- Requires more space and additional reliance on the side-view mirrors for changing lanes
- Does not respond as well to abrupt steering maneuvers
- Requires additional braking time
Golf Carts, Gators, etc.
Utility Cart Safety
Utility Carts used on campus roadways must comply with rules of the general population of vehicles. Operators of these vehicles must obey all traffic laws and requirements of the State.
- Operators Shall have valid driver’s license
- Operators Shall receive Annual Authorization to Drive a State vehicle on State Business
- Operators Shall receive Safe Driver Training (on-line safe driver’s course) every 3 years
Warning: Some utility carts when loaded with personnel, have a higher center of gravity, which may increase the likelihood of roll-over or loss of control while turning.
- Vehicles shall be inspected prior to each use (Horn, lights, brakes, fuel level, tires)
- Seat Belts shall be worn by all occupants, when provided
- When operating electric vehicles around pedestrians, utilize horn to warn pedestrians that you are approaching. Yield to pedestrians
- Keep all hands, feet, legs, and other body parts within the cart
- Loads must not extend more than one foot from either the side or the front of a Utility Cart. Loads that extend more than three feet from the rear of the cart must be flagged with a brightly colored material
- Turn on headlights while driving to increase visibility to others
- Do not operate vehicles at night without proper headlights and tail-lights
- Avoid using vehicles on pedestrian sidewalks
- Do not exceed walking speed while on sidewalks
- Slow down and sound horn when approaching blind corners
- The capacity of the cart shall not be exceeded; the number passengers shall not exceed spaces available.
- Do Not Operate the Cart outside of LSU Property Boundaries.
- Carts shall not be modified unless the modification is approved by the manufacturer.
- Highly Flammable Hydrogen gas is generated when re-charging batteries;
- Charge in ventilated areas
- Open Cab windows, doors, or canvas covers to ventilate cab while charging
- Eliminate sparks or ignition sources within 20 feet of charging station
Driving on LSU Business
Vehicle use guidelines, information and forms can be found on the Office of Risk Management Vehicles Website.
Accident Reporting and Investigations
All accidents, major and minor, shall be reported first to the local police department or appropriate law enforcement agency. Secondly, the Online Accident Report Form should be completed as soon as possible. This form will report the accident to the LSU Office of Risk Management.