Defensive Driving Standards

Purpose

Establish Spartan Plumbing's driving standards for all employees operating company vehicles. Safe driving protects you, the public, and the company's reputation.

Who This Applies To

All employees who operate a Spartan Plumbing vehicle, including service trucks, install trucks, and sales vehicles.

Standards

Speed and Following Distance

Obey all posted speed limits — GeoTab monitors and records your speed

Maintain a minimum 3-second following distance (increase in rain, snow, or fog)

Reduce speed in residential neighborhoods, school zones, and customer driveways

No speeding to make it to a job on time — call dispatch to update the customer instead

Distracted Driving — Zero Tolerance

No texting while driving — this is Ohio law and Spartan policy

Phone calls must be hands-free only

If you need to use ServiceTitan, pull over first

Do not eat, drink, or use your iPad while the vehicle is moving

Set your GPS/navigation before you start driving

Right-of-Way and Courtesy

Yield to pedestrians always

Use turn signals for every lane change and turn

Do not tailgate — Spartan trucks are highly visible and represent the company

Be courteous to other drivers — road rage reflects poorly on the Spartan brand

Allow extra space around cyclists and motorcycles

Parking and Maneuvering

Use a spotter when backing up if anyone is available

Do a walk-around before backing in tight spaces

Never park blocking a customer's driveway, fire hydrant, or neighbor's access

When parallel parking the truck, use extra caution due to the vehicle's size

GeoTab Monitoring

GeoTab records speed, hard braking, rapid acceleration, and idle time

Harsh driving events are reviewed by management

Consistent harsh driving events will result in a coaching conversation

GeoTab data may be used in accident investigations

Important Notes

• A Spartan truck is a rolling billboard — how you drive represents the company to everyone on the road
• At-fault accidents caused by speeding, distraction, or reckless driving may result in disciplinary action
• Ohio's move-over law requires you to change lanes or slow down when passing stopped emergency vehicles
• Keep your driver's license current and report any changes in status to the office

Related SOPs

• Vehicle Accident Procedures — what to do if an accident occurs
• Winter Driving & Inclement Weather — severe weather driving
• Daily Vehicle Inspection Checklist — pre-drive safety check