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Division of Risk Management

Drivers Safety Information

Background

A reduction in the crash rate on Utah Highways can be attributed to local and statewide traffic safety programs that have increased awareness of traffic safety issues. Also contributing to the lower Utah Highway crash rate is legislation mandating seatbelt use, graduated driver licensure, increased DUI legislation/enforcement, better engineered roadways, and safer vehicles.

Despite this progress, motor vehicles crashes continue to take their toll. According to UTAHCODES, in Utah:

  • a vehicle crash occurs every 10 minutes
  • a person is injured in a vehicle crash every 19 minutes
  • a person dies in a vehicle crash every 30 hours

The purpose of the State Division of Risk Management Driver Safety Program is to increase awareness of traffic safety issues and meet the requirements defined by state statues.

State Statutory Requirements

UCA 63G-7-202 (3) (c) Act provisions not construed as admission or denial of liability -- Effect of waiver of immunity -- Exclusive remedy -- Joinder of employee -- Limitations on personal liability.

UCA R37-1-8(3) Underwriting Standards for Driving Vehciles

UCA 41-6a-1715 Careless driving defined and prohibited

UCA 41-6a-1803 Driver and passengers -- Seat belt or child restraint device required

UCA 53-8-211.5 School bus safety standards -- Exceptions.

State Risk Management Guidelines

The Fund-Approved Drivers Safety Program

The fund-approved Drivers Safety Program consists of the completion of the applicable driver’s safety videos, and exam results submitted to your human resource administrator or the Division of Fleet Operations & Surplus Services for state employees once every two years.

Leasing of Buses by School Districts to Private Groups or Individuals

We do not and will not insure school buses that are rented or loaned to entities that are not covered by the Risk Management Fund. School districts that engage in these practices may be denied governmental immunity protections if they are deemed to be functioning as a private rental company rather than a governmental entity. 

 

This concern does not exist when vehicles are shared among our school districts or among our school districts, covered charter schools, and other covered governmental entities, provided an appropriate indemnity agreement is in place that has been approved by Risk Management as a defined contract.

Out-of-state Travel of State Owned Vehicles

Risk Management recommends that an insured entity not travel out-of-state except in commercial transportation. Governmental immunity and caps applicable to the State of Utah do not apply to other states.

Transportation of Students/15-Passenger Vans

State law prohibits the use of 15-passenger vans, or a vehicle with a seating capacity of 11 or more, including the driver, for the transportation of minor students, unless the vehicle meets federal school bus safety standards.  

If you own one of the below-mentioned vehicles, the National Highway Transportation Safety Association recommends

(1) that all occupants wear safety belts at all times;

(2) that all drivers are trained and experienced;

(3) that tires are checked weekly to ensure compliance with the manufacturer’s recommended pressure levels; and

(4) that no loads are placed on the roof of the vehicle.

Of concern are certain models of the Ford Econoline or E-Series, such as the Ford E350 and Club Wagon E350; the Dodge Ram Wagon B350 and Ram Van/Wagon B3500; the Chevrolet Express 3500, GMC Savanna 3500, and Rally/Vandura G3500.

 

Use of Volunteers to Transport Students

All volunteers must be certified pursuant to the Utah Volunteer Government Workers Act, UCA 67-20-1. At a minimum, every volunteer must be approved by the Chief Executive (Superintendent) or his/her authorized representative and by the office of personnel.  

All volunteers must also undergo a background check to confirm they are currently licensed to drive and to facilitate a review their driving record. They must also take the defensive driving course that is approved by the Division of Risk Management.

Volunteers who transport minor children must also undergo a criminal background check. All volunteers should be at least 21 years of age, with preference to those who are 25 or older. No students may drive entity vehicles under any circumstances. No 12- or 15-passenger vans may be used under any circumstances.

Seatbelts and Cell Phone Use

All occupants of state-owned, rental, or personal vehicles must wear seatbelts while traveling on entity business. Entity personnel are strongly discouraged from using cell phones while operating vehicles on entity business, irrespective of whether the vehicle is state-owned, rented, or personally owned.

Texting and Emailing

Utah's lawmakers made texting or emailing while driving a crime, effective May 12, 2009. First-time offenders will be charged with a Class C Misdemeanor. If the driver inflicts serious bodily injury on another person as a result of texting or emailing, or has a prior conviction for this offense within three years of committing a second offense, the driver will be charged with a Class B Misdemeanor.

Overcorrecting

When alerted of unintentionally leaving their lane of travel, a drowsy, distracted, or impaired driver will often throw the steering wheel in the opposite direction to get the vehicle back on the road. This is a classic example of over correcting or over steering. It is a particularly perilous maneuver when driving a SUV on the highway at high speeds. Consider it a rollover waiting to happen. More than 4% of automobile fatalities a year occur because of drivers overcorrecting, and the statistic is even higher for those not wearing their seatbelts.

Utah State Driver Accident Statistics

Major Cause of Traffic Related Deaths:

  •             Drowsy Driving
  •             Distracted Driving
  •             Aggressive Driving
  •             Impaired Driving
  •             Not Buckling Up

Major Cause of Traffic Related Claims:

  •             Distracted Inattentive Driving
  •             Aggressive Careless Driving
  •             Drowsy Driving
  •             Impaired Driving

Quick Links

Utah Codes compiles police report accident records and probabilistically links motor vehicle crash and health outcome data for use in research, education, and policy development. The statistical data can be obtained through this web Link: www.utcodes.org

The loss of just one life is too many. This is the philosophy of Zero Fatalities. It’s a Goal we can all live with. It is the ONLY goal we can all live with. This portal is meant to be a one-stop information resource and collaboration of numerous Utah safety campaigns targeting the prevention of numerous types of traffic injuries and fatalities. The statistical and resource information can be obtained through this web link: http://ut.zerofatalities.com/

Utah State Fund-Approved Driver Safety Program Purpose:

For crash reduction of state owned vehicles, and as required by UCA R37-1-8(5). The State Division of Risk Management has compiled the following collection of fund-approved driver safety videos. Employees who operate entity vehicles or their own vehicle on entity business, as an essential function of the job, must complete at least every 2 years this driver safety course. The course entails completing those videos applicable to their driving needs. A printable version of each video is available for those without computer access.

State Risk Management Fund Approved Driver Safety Program