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Committee approves countywide vehicle-use policy permitting hands-free phone use
Summary
The Richland County Public Works Standing Committee approved a countywide vehicle-use policy clarifying permitted personal use, hands-free phone use, insurance proof requirements and vehicle-tracking practices.
The Richland County Public Works Standing Committee approved a countywide vehicle-use policy that clarifies employee responsibilities for county vehicles, allows hands-free phone use while driving and requires employees to provide proof of personal insurance to their departments.
Committee members said the policy was developed by county attorney staff and highway department personnel and revised after review by the executive and finance committees. The policy language clarified that employees may use hands-free devices while driving on county business and that department heads retain discretion over what constitutes “reasonable” personal use of vehicles assigned for work.
Members discussed several implementation details during debate:
- Personal use and reasonableness: Committee members asked whether employees may make brief detours to drop off small children or run short errands while traveling to or from work. Staff said such uses are allowed within reason and that department heads should have discretion to approve or deny specific personal-use requests.
- Insurance proof: The policy requires employees who use county vehicles to show proof of personal insurance before being permitted to drive county-owned vehicles. Staff clarified the county’s insurance is primary for county business; the personal insurance verification is to ensure the employee is insurable and to limit liability exposure in cases of poor driving records.
- Tracking and mileage: Committee members said pickups and most trucks are not GPS-tracked; some large pieces of equipment are. Staff said the county tracks mileage using biweekly mileage reporting so supervisors can investigate discrepancies.
Committee members said the goal is to put clear rules in writing, allow department-level discretion where appropriate, and review the policy if operational issues arise. After discussion the committee voted to approve the policy.
Votes at a glance
- Motion: Approve countywide vehicle-use policy with hands-free phone allowance and insurance verification requirement. Outcome: approved. Mover: not specified. Second: not specified. Vote tally: not specified in transcript.
Staff said the policy can be revisited after six months or sooner if it proves impractical.
