A Crash Course on Driver Safety for Parks Dept. Employees

A Parks Dept. truck crashes a Central Park wedding

Following Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe’s recent reminder for “Parkies” to drive safely and the revocation of parking permits on Central Park’s East Drive, the Parks Dept. recently sent out another mass e-mail to employees noting that “in the last few months we have seen an increase in vehicle accidents.” From a tipster:

From: Broadcast Message
Sent: Fri 8/17/2007 12:18 PM
Subject: Important Vehicle Safety Message

It has been a busy summer so far at Parks, and we are successfully serving millions of New Yorkers and visitors. We are also doing so with hundreds of new staff who have recently joined the agency.

As we perform our vital roles, we must ensure that the public and our staff stay safe. Safety is especially important when it comes to vehicles and equipment. In the last few months, we have seen an increase in vehicle accidents. All of us must emphasize the importance of caution and care when driving vehicles and begin a renewed focus on reducing our accident rate. Accidents can jeopardize our patrons and staff, disrupt operations, and cost time and money. The majority of our accidents involve rear-ending other vehicles or hitting non-moving objects. These can and should be prevented.

Some things everyone should remember:

* You may not operate vehicles in active use areas such as ball fields or playgrounds without a guide outside the vehicle ensuring the safety of our patrons.

* You must follow all traffic and parking laws including restrictions on double parking and parking on public sidewalks.

* You may not drive a vehicle while using a cell phone, unless you use a hands free set. Pay attention to the road at all times.

* You are not to operate vehicles on park paths, closed drives, boardwalks or other active use spaces unless you must do so for direct work activities. Vehicles are to be operated on active use park areas only when absolutely necessary.

* No one may commute with a Parks vehicle – City owned, donated, or leased -without expressed written authorization from Operations. City EZ Passes may never be used for personal commutes.

* Parks offers the State Defensive Driving Course for all Parks Authorized Drivers, free of charge.

* Out of City trips with Parks vehicles must be approved by Operations. 

Thank you.

Photo: BlancheandGuy on Flickr