University & Personal Vehicle Use at Camp
Statement on Policies for Use of University Vehicles
The following policies regarding the use of university vehicles must be read, understood, and adhered to at all times:
For All Vehicle Occupants
University vehicles include any vehicle owned, rented, leased, or otherwise provided to affiliates of a university participating in the Wasatch-Uinta Field Camp for use in conducting official business.
Safety restraints (seat belts, both lap and shoulder) must be worn by everyone whenever a vehicle is in motion.
Keep vehicles clean. Regularly remove trash. Loose bottles, rocks and materials on the floor are significant hazards to safe vehicle operation. Whenever possible, maintain the drivers ability to see out of the rear window when packing the vehicles.
Hazardous materials (e.g. flammables, corrosives, explosives, compressed gases, etc.) must not be transported in a university vehicle unless they have been packaged as prescribed by applicable state and federal regulations. The driver must be informed before the hazardous material is loaded for transport.
Alcohol consumption in any university vehicle is strictly prohibited. The transportation of alcohol is never permitted in UM-Duluth vehicles.
For Drivers
Authorized drivers are individuals cleared to drive specified vehicles by a university’s department of risk management. Drivers must immediately inform field camp and their home university if they receive a suspension, probation, cancellation, or disqualification of his/her driver's license.
Authorized drivers are subject to all traffic laws and are financially responsible for any traffic citations. In addition to posted speed limits, drivers must operate at speeds suitable for vehicle, road, traffic, and weather conditions. Where vision is restricted, drivers must slow to a speed that will permit the safe negotiation of curves, hills, or intersections.
Use of university vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including prescription drugs that may impair the ability of the driver) is prohibited. Drivers must not consume any alcohol for at least 8 hours before driving a vehicle.
Driver fatigue is a leading cause of fatal accidents. Requests for breaks or driver swaps have priority over any itinerary.
Keep to the right on highways. Do not linger in the fast lane – use it only to pass.
Caravan Driving is among the most dangerous activities at camp. To help mitigate this hazard, please follow these guidelines:
Unless safety dictates otherwise, maintain your position in the line of vehicles and do not pass the lead vehicle.
Do not worry about “keeping up” with the vehicle ahead of you – instead, slow your vehicle to maintain visual contact with the vehicle behind you.
Avoid distractions. The use of cellular telephones, mobile devices, iPods, etc. while driving are not permitted (even with a “hands-free” device), except in immediate emergency situations. The person sitting in the front passenger position (aka, “shotgun”) should assist drivers with these functions.
Drivers are responsible for thoroughly inspecting their vehicle for unsafe conditions (lights, brakes, windshield wipers, windshield washer fluid) or damage prior to initial use and regularly thereafter. Drivers must immediately report vehicles that are damaged or in an unsafe condition to an instructor.
If you experience a flat tire or other vehicle malfunction that requires leaving the roadway, pull to the right shoulder – never stop in the center median. Carefully pull off as far as possible, but do not go over the shoulder. If possible, park on a hard (paved) surface.
Accidents involving any camp vehicle (university or private) during field camp must be reported according to relevant accident reporting guidelines. The camp director must be notified immediately.
Using University Vehicles
University rental rates range from $0.50 to $0.70 per mile. For this reason, vehicle use is generally restricted to course-related activities. On occasion, groups of students may make arrangements to borrow a university vehicle for an approved non-academic trip. Under these circumstances, university vehicles may be used for a mileage charge (based on a per mile cost) for short trips (e.g. into the city, or up into the mountains) with the appropriate permissions. Vehicles are not to be used for running around town just for fun. Vehicles can be taken to do a shopping run or quick restaurant run, however, every attempt must be made to fill the vehicle with other students in need of the same purpose.
All requests for non-academic use of university vehicles must be cleared by the head TA.
A group of at least 6 students is needed to request the use of a university vehicle. Please plan ahead for trips (e.g., stores, tourist locations) so you can recruit the necessary numbers.
Speed limits should be followed at all times. Drivers are responsible for any traffic violations. All drivers must have a valid and clean drivers license. Drivers are held responsible for all van rules.
Smoking is not permitted in university vehicles. Violators will be responsible for any resulting cleaning fees.
Hitchhiking or picking up hitchhikers is not permitted
Vehicle Captains (aka. Van Meisters)
Each university vehicle is assigned an individual that has the authority to make decisions concerning the passengers and what is (or is not) appropriate behavior. These vehicle captains are responsible for general maintenance (recording milage, fueling, tire checks, etc.). Please help make their jobs easier by cooperating with them and by respecting the rights of others. Vehicles must be cleared of trash daily and thoroughly cleaned by all students when needed, including the day of departure from camp.
Personal Vehicles at Camp - strongly discouraged
The use of personal vehicles during course-related activities is not allowed.
As camp moves between two field station locations during the summer, we strongly discourage you from driving a personal vehicle. You will find it difficult to maintain contact with the group when we travel great distances between field stations. Further, if you experience car trouble, you will be forced to either stay with your car (and not participate in camp), or leave your car and deal with tow and repair remotely. Also, parking your personal vehicle is not covered by our parking permits, so you’d have to sort that issue as well and cover the fees.