Fleet Services has converted its Safe Driver Awareness Training from a classroom course to an online format — and all employees are welcome to take it, regardless of whether you drive as part of your job.

In addition, Fleet Services and Safety Services have teamed to outfit university vehicles with back-up beepers, distance sensors and special mirrors — all intended to reduce the number of accidents that happen when driving in reverse.

Bob Wachter, injury prevention specialist with Environmental Health and Safety, said UC Davis averaged about 300 auto related claims annually in the last four fiscal years. About 9 percent of those claims stemmed from incidents that resulted in personal injury to drivers or passengers.

In addition to the personal suffering, the incidents cost the university more than $6 million in damages and liability claims.

Safe Driver Awareness Training is required if you typically drive on official university business, in personal or university vehicles, at least one hour a day, five days a week, or, if your driving on official university business takes up at least 10 percent of your work time (excluding sworn police officers).

The online course is available via the UC Learning Center (search for “safe driver”). Completion of the course can be tracked in the learning management system. Supervisors should review employee training records to ensure full compliance. Questions about the online course or about supervisory access to training records may be directed to Staff Development and Professional Services, (530) 752-1766 or sdps@ucdavis.edu.

Tackling collisions with a ‘back-up’ plan

Of all the typical causes of car crashes, backing into objects is the number one cause of injury and damages to pedestrians, vehicles and property

To tackle this problem, Safety Services and Fleet Services is offering back-up devices — paid for with Be Smart About Safety funding from the Office of the President.

• Backing distance sensors emit ultrasonic waves that sense the proximity of objects behind a vehicle. When an object is too close, an alarm goes off inside the vehicle.

• Pedestrian warning devices are audible alerts that warn pedestrians whenever a vehicle is placed in reverse. These devices are standard in large trucks and construction equipment, and they are also highly recommended for vehicles such as cargo vans and large trucks that have poor rear visibility and large blind spots.

• Cross-view mirrors enable drivers to see the most menacing blind spot: the rear center of the vehicle, immediately behind the rear bumper area.

The equipment and installation are free. Vehicles with the least rearward visibility are being given first priority for this program, and Environmental Health and Safety is communicating directly with departments to make them aware of the program, if they use fleet vehicles.

Questions about vehicle safety and enhancements? Contact Wachter, (530) 752-1493 or rawachter@ucdavis.edu.

On the Web

“Automobile, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety,” UC Davis Monthly Safety Spotlight (September 2010)

Policy and Procedure Manual, 300-30, University-Owned Vehicles