ME Vehicle Rules

The ME Department allows us to use their vehicles to conduct RoboJackets business. On this page, you will find links to relevant documents and general information on using ME vehicles.

Van Accident of 2018

At midnight on the way home from a meeting, we stopped at Cookout. In the Cookout parking lot, the ME van we were driving was hit while parked. The damage didn't seem severe enough to warrant calling the police, so the van was returned to the ME parking lot. The next day, the ME Department was informed of the situation. They requested an incident report for insurance purposes, which we didn't have, and banned use of the vehicles for a month after learning that the incident occurred at Cookout.

What RoboJackets Learned

ME Documentation

The ME Departments' documentation of what they expect from students driving their vehicles is nonexistent. To drive the vehicles, you must complete online defensive driving training. This is a basic review of good driving practices and some facts about the vehicles. There is a paper, which isn't mentioned before you are allowed to drive, in the glove compartment of the vans explaining what to do if you are in an accident.

Relevant Information Found Online

• The information in this document applies to state employees, which RoboJackets members are not, so it is not certain how well they apply to us. https://doas.ga.gov/assets/Fleet%20Management/Fleet%20Management%20Rules%20Policies%20and%20Compliance/GeorgiaFleetManual.pdf
  • State 4.8 "Unauthorized use of state vehicles may result in immediate disciplinary action from the operator’s agency. Such action may include suspension of all privileges to operate state vehicles and in some cases, dismissal. Furthermore, state drivers are not covered by liability insurance when engaging in unauthorized use of state vehicles, nor is the vehicle covered under optional Auto Physical Damage Coverage when so operated."
  • State 4.7 "When on official travel status and not within reasonable walking distance between either of the above places and: Places to obtain meals..."
  • State 7.3.1 "Whenever an accident occurs that involves a state vehicle or a non-state vehicle being used on state business, you should: assist the injured, report the accident to the police immediately, report the accident to your supervisor immediately... "
• The information on this page isn't useful and doesn't apply to us, but is given by GT. https://www.ehs.gatech.edu/general/vehicles

What to Remember for the Future

• ME vehicles can not be used to do anything other than transport members to meetings, unless on certified travel status.
• No matter the severity of damage, the police must be called after an accident to get an incident report.