Driver and Vehicle Safety Standard
The purpose of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Standard is to mitigate the inherent risks associated with driving, recognizing that it is one of the most hazardous activities individuals engage in on a daily basis, in a diverse range of roads, locations, and weather conditions.
This standard is designed to mitigate these risks by providing education and knowledge on basic defensive driving skills and establishing specific criteria aimed at protecting the well-being of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, and minimizing the overall risk of incidents and injuries.
Key elements of the standard include:
- Driver registration and approval,
- Mandatory driver safety training,
- Prohibitions against distracted driving,
- Fitness for duty requirements, and
- The completion of a Journey Management Plan for specific situations.
How does this apply to you?
The Journey Management Plan
The Journey Management Plan helps drivers to analyze the trip ahead, anticipate the hazards, consider ways to reduce exposure to those hazards and prepare the driver and passengers should an emergency arise.
Standard Implementation
The implementation will occur in stages, starting with a pilot launch in February followed by implementation workshops tailored for each department, area or faculty throughout the year.
During these sessions, we will collaboratively review the standard's requirements, discuss your area, faculty, or department's activities, and develop a clear understanding of how the standard applies to your operations.
Learning Resources
Driving on behalf of the University
Driving University of Calgary owned or rented vehicles or other forms of transportation along with operating powered mobile equipment must be listed on Hazard Assessment and Control Forms (HACFs) with appropriate controls identified and implemented.
Part 19 of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code defines powered mobile equipment as a self-propelled machine or combination of machines, including a prime mover or a motor vehicle, designed to manipulate or move material or to provide a powered aerial device for workers.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
All individuals driving or using University-owned, leased, or rented vehicles while conducting university business must comply with University of Calgary policies and procedures.
Visit the Risk Management and Insurance Driving and Vehicles webpage for more information and to review the registration requirements.
Click here to register to drive on the Risk Management & Insurance Driver Registration System.
Contact drivers@ucalgary.ca for additional information.
If you are operating a vehicle owned, leased, or rented by the university, or if you are using your personal vehicle for work-related purposes on behalf of the University, you are considered to be driving on University business.
Yes, volunteers must register and get approved when driving university-owned and rental vehicles for university purposes and must comply with all applicable requirements.
Yes. Students must register and get approved when driving university-owned and rental vehicles for university purposes and must comply with all applicable requirements.
You are required to complete the training if you:
- Drive a university fleet vehicle.
- Are required by Risk Management and Insurance to register for driver approval
- Drive over 400 km per year on university business using personal vehicle and/or rental vehicles.
No. Journey Management Plans are required when:
- Driving to remote locations. A location will be considered “remote” if:
- the nearest established community with a population of 1,000 or more is no closer than 80 kilometres by the most direct route, or
- areas with limited or no cellphone coverage.
- Driving involves crossing Provincial or international borders.
Yes, you can use the UCSafety app as a communication tool if you have consistent cellular service during the journey.
If you don’t have consistent cellular service during the journey you need to identify and document a communication plan that includes:
- A communication device
- Check-in frequency
- Actions you will take in case of a missed-check in
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Collection of personal information
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