I figured this could be a fun thread. I live in one of those states where there are no speed limits for emergency vehicles. All the law says is that we have to drive at a "safe and prudent" speed. I've always felt uncomfortable with that, so I implemented a policy saying that no department vehicle would be driven at more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.
So, a week ago we get a visit from the city's loss prevention officer. He wants to look over all of our policies, as he does with all city departments. He's told me I need to remove my policy on the 10 mph speed limit because it's in conflict with state law. He says that if we have such a policy, and somebody gets in a wreck exceeding 10 mph over the speed limit, we'll actually incur more liability than we would have without it. I sort of see where he's coming from, but I think it's a leap. What he's saying is that if we don't have this policy, and somebody gets in a wreck going say 20 mph over the speed limit (which is allowed by law), we'll be in the clear as long as they can prove they were driving at a "safe and prudent" speed. If we have the 10 mph limit in policy, they'd automatically be liable because they were breaking department policy, even if they were driving at a "safe and prudent" speed.
Just an example of more of the crap you get to deal with when they give you the gold badge. Ugh.
So, a week ago we get a visit from the city's loss prevention officer. He wants to look over all of our policies, as he does with all city departments. He's told me I need to remove my policy on the 10 mph speed limit because it's in conflict with state law. He says that if we have such a policy, and somebody gets in a wreck exceeding 10 mph over the speed limit, we'll actually incur more liability than we would have without it. I sort of see where he's coming from, but I think it's a leap. What he's saying is that if we don't have this policy, and somebody gets in a wreck going say 20 mph over the speed limit (which is allowed by law), we'll be in the clear as long as they can prove they were driving at a "safe and prudent" speed. If we have the 10 mph limit in policy, they'd automatically be liable because they were breaking department policy, even if they were driving at a "safe and prudent" speed.
Just an example of more of the crap you get to deal with when they give you the gold badge. Ugh.

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