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Office of Risk Management

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SUBJECT: Unattended vehicles
DATE ISSUED: January 30, 2003
POLICY NO: ORM-03-2
RATIONALE: Leaving vehicles unsecured with the keys in the ignition poses a risk of vehicle theft and misuse of the vehicle.
POLICY:

Any university vehicle, licensed or unlicensed, which will be out of the immediate sight and "control" of an agent (as defined by common law) of the university who is "responsible" for the vehicle shall have the ignition keys removed and the engine shut down.

It is strongly recommended that the doors of the vehicle, if so equipped, be locked.

Exception: A police or any other public safety emergency vehicle may be left running while unattended but only if the doors are locked.

Exception: Any vehicle which, because of the purpose it is serving (e.g., running a pump) must be running, may be left running while unattended but only if secured against unauthorized use. Exceptions in this category must be approved by the unit supervisor. This does not apply to leaving a vehicle running merely for convenience, e.g., running the heater to keep it warm or the air conditioner to keep it cool.

DEFINITIONS:

 University vehicle This includes all vehicles owned, leased, or rented by Indiana University. In addition, for this policy, "vehicle" shall include any other motorized equipment capable of carrying a driver.
Control An agent of the university responsible for the vehicle must be able to reach the vehicle and prevent unauthorized entry and use for them to be deemed in "control" of the vehicle.
Responsible The operator of the vehicle or equipment has primary responsibility for it, but this can be delegated to another agent of the university, e.g., a co-worker.
PROCEDURE REFERENCE: Any person found in violation of this policy is subject to the university's disciplinary policies.
CROSS REFERENCE:
RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATION: Office of Risk Management
Indiana University
Office of Risk Management
400 E. 7th Street Room 705, Bloomington, IN 47405
812-855-9758 FAX 812-855-9320
A division of the Office of the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Last updated: 22-July-2009
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