City of Keyser adopts policy for employees who operate vehicles

KEYSER, W.Va. (WV News) — The City of Keyser has adopted a “fleet safety policy” that requires employees who operate vehicles in their jobs to maintain good driving records, undergo periodic training, and submit to random drug tests.

And while city administrator Jeff Broadwater told the News & Tribune the policy is basically “nothing new,” he said it does “organize the proper procedures and put them into a combined formal policy.”

Broadwater presented the written policy to the Keyser City Council during their Jan. 22 meeting, explaining that it was “basically a requirement from our insurance company to keep our premiums low.

“The biggest thing is,” he added, “it’s an agreement. So you approve this, it’ll be signed by the mayor and myself, and all the employees will sign it.”

According to the policy, anyone seeking to be employed by the city will be asked to provide a record of his or her past driving experience for “at least the last three years.

“Driver selection will be made upon completion of a formal review, background check, reference verification, review of the individual’s motor vehicle record, and a negative drug screen,” the policy states.

In addition, all prospective hires will be required to undergo a physical evaluation and to complete a road test.

Motor vehicle records will also be requested of all employees who drive city vehicles “at a minimum of at least once per year,” and anyone with an excessive number of violations in the past three years may be subject to disciplinary action or termination. Active employees will also be asked to participate in periodic road tests.

“The road test will require prospective and active employees to safely and competently complete tasks associated in the following categories: Pre-trip inspection, general vehicle operation, fifth wheel connection, backing and parking, turning, passing, and railroad crossing,” according to the policy.

Training is also a part of the new policy.

“City of Keyser will monitor driver habits to identify potentially unsafe driving habits that require additional training and/or disciplinary actions,” the police states, adding, “We will use ride-along training combined with statistical data focusing on accident types and frequency to identify areas of improvement.

“Two accidents or moving violations in a one calendar year period will require review with a supervisor to determine what, if any, disciplinary action is needed and to identify possible training opportunities.”

All driving employees will also be required to submit to periodic random drug and alcohol testing, and any positive results will be grounds for termination.

Council member Mike Ryan made a motion to adopt the police, and David Shoemaker seconded it. The motion passed 5-0.

The policy went into effect immediately.