scope:

This policy covers:

a) the responsibilities of Network Rail and its employees when driving, selecting, inspecting, maintaining or disposing of vehicles, including those using their private cars for business use;

b) Network Rail's responsibilities when assessing driving competence and giving authority to drive, and of employees when assessing their own fitness to drive and planning, preparing for, making and ending any road journey.

The policy is applicable to all business journeys made in:

a) Network Rail vehicles;

b) short term hire vehicles; and

c) privately owned vehicles.

A business journey is any journey other than the commute from an employee's home to their permanent place of work (see also clause 3, Definitions).

This policy is applicable to journeys on public highways, Network Rail land and premises and any other location

Purpose

The implementation of this policy contributes to:

a) achieving a high standard of safety and risk management for Network Rail's road vehicle fleet and authorised drivers;

b) providing information to employees, contractors and suppliers on what actions are needed to reduce or remove road risk on business journeys;

c) the avoidance of unnecessary journeys made by road; and

d) Network Rail's goal of making sure that everyone gets home safely every day.

The implementation of this policy supports the following Network Rail Lifesaving Rules:

a) always use equipment that is fit for its intended purpose;

b) never use a hand-held or hands-free phone, or programme any other mobile device, while driving;

c) never work or drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; and

d) always obey the speed limit and wear a seat belt. Network Rail encourages its employees to apply this policy when driving in their own time.