• Drivers should not talk on cell phones while driving unless the vehicle is equipped with a College-approved hands-free speaking and listening device. If there is a need to make a phone call, the driver should find a proper parking space before making the call. Stopping on the side of the road is not acceptable except in genuine emergencies; and • In accordance with Maryland law, children younger than six years old, regardless of weight, or weighing 40 pounds or less, regardless of age, must be secured in a federally approved child safety seat according to the safety seat and vehicle manufacturers instructions. Use of College Bus Guidelines In planning a year’s activities, there are times when a sizable group will need to travel a distance from the campus (e.g. for a day trip out of the county, a large sporting events, or out of state activity.) In order to make trips safe and pleasant as possible, the following guidelines are to be observed by HCC groups when using a campus bus: • The Group leader or Coach must provide a cell phone number that is available to contact at all times. If a Group Leader or Coach has not been contacted by a driver three days prior to departure, call Dennis Jong at 240-675-6504 or Mike Stevenson at 301-491- 9808; • All decisions pertaining to the operation of the motor coach will be made by the driver based on legal requirements and college policy; • The Group Leader/Coach is responsible for ensuring a trip seating roster is filled out prior to the bus departing campus. A trip/seating roster must be filled out on the bus and placed in the drop box located in the gravel lot across from lot G before the bus departs the campus. If passengers are first loaded somewhere other than on campus (e.g. Valley Mall, an airport, etc.), a seating roster must be filled out and sent as a photo to Dennis Jong at 240-675-6504 or drjong@hagerstowncc.edu prior to departure; • In the event of an emergency situation the driver of the bus should notify Dennis Jong at 240-675-6504 or Mike Stevenson at 301-491-9808, or Campus Police at 240-500-2312 or 240-500-2308; • It is the driver's determination when and where fuel stops shall be made in accordance with the college’s policy; • The driver will determine where the bus may be safely stopped during emergencies on the road and where it will be parked at other times; • All equipment and bags must be securely stowed. It is the responsibility of the Group Leader/ Coach to ensure loading and unloading and access to luggage is supervised; • No food or drink is permitted on the bus; • Passenger behavior on the bus is the responsibility of the Group Leader / Coach. Legal and safety requirements determine that all passengers must be seated when the bus is in motion and it is the responsibility of the Group Leader / Coach to see that this rule is enforced. If the Group Leader / Coach cannot enforce this rule, the driver will park the bus and remain parked until it is enforced. These guidelines were submitted to the Board as supplemental material along with the College
Vehicle Use Policy on November 16, 2007. These guidelines have been revised July 2018.
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