10 Driver Performance and Safety
Driver performance and recognition must be assessed and determined objectively using the available data sources in the FMS, transport booking system and Dashboard, including:
- Compliance with safe driving speeds
- Compliance with the reporting of all road traffic incidents
- Absence of any disciplinary measures
- Absence of any unsafe driving behaviours
- Fuel efficiency
- Passenger feedback
- Eco-driving behaviours
- Compliance with vehicle inspection and care
11 Road traffic incidents, other incidents and/or any vehicle damage may be indicators of driving without proper awareness and anticipation, or of unsafe driving. Other indicators of driver performance include over speeding, as well as positive and negative comments or complaints from passengers/other drivers.
12 All complaints concerning the performance or behavior of drivers should be reported to the Transport Focal Point and/or their first-level supervisor, and dealt with in accordance with organizational procedures.
13 Good performance and conduct should be recognized and recorded, and positive feedback provided before and during performance appraisals.
14 Passenger rating and feedback will be submitted in the Transport Booking System (TBS).
15 When driving or travelling as passengers in WHO vehicles, all personnel are required to exercise proper caution and to avoid taking unwarranted risks that jeopardize either their own safety and security or that of other WHO personnel, as well as the assets and other property of WHO.
16 Circumstances where there is no availability of safe transport must be reported to WHO for appropriate action and follow up. WHO personnel are reminded that they may decline to be transported in any vehicle if they have concerns for their safety, even if this results in the cancellation of the mission.
20 Compliance with local traffic laws
At all times, drivers of WHO vehicles must comply with local traffic laws and road signs, including posted speed limits. In cases where speed limit signs are not posted, drivers must exercise proper caution while driving and drive at a speed that is safe for the prevailing conditions.
30 Drugs and alcohol
31 Drivers of WHO vehicles are strictly prohibited from driving with any amount alcohol and/or other psychoactive substances that may negatively affect their driving ability.
32 Drivers must check with their doctor, WHO Staff Health and Well-being Services or a Regional Staff Physician if any medication prescribed may impair their judgement and/or ability to drive.
33 For the safety of drivers and all WHO personnel, drivers must inform any prescribing physician of their driving duties and confirm if anything prescribed may affect their fitness to drive. If the driver or physician are in any doubt, the driver must temporarily be removed from their driving duties and assessed by the UN appointed physician before recommencing driving duties.
40 Smoking
Passengers and drivers are not permitted to smoke inside or near a WHO vehicle.
50 Seat belts
51 The wearing of seat belts at all times is mandatory for the driver and passengers (front and rear) in all vehicles.
52 The driver must ensure that all seat belts (front and rear) are fully functioning, free from damage or defect and are clean, accessible and useable.
53 There must be a functioning seat belt for each person carried in a WHO vehicle. The number of passengers carried in a vehicle may not exceed the number of functioning seat belts.
54 The driver of a WHO vehicle, as well as the passenger in the vehicle with most seniority, must ensure that all passengers comply with this requirement and shall not begin to travel until all passengers have their seat belts securely fastened.
60 Speed
61 Excessive speed reduces the time available to respond to hazards and developing situations, and to avoid a road traffic incident. Excessive speed increases the likelihood of having a road traffic incident, as well as the likely severity of any road traffic incident. Drivers may not operate a vehicle in excess of posted speed limits and must further adapt their speed to the environment, road, weather and light conditions and the vehicle load.
61 Armoured vehicles must not be driven above 90 km/h (or lower according to manufacturer’s recommendations or local regulations) unless a specific security situation requires it.
70 Mobile communications
71 At all times, drivers of WHO vehicles must exercise proper control of the vehicle. Talking, messaging and using electronic devices, such as hand-held radios or cameras, while driving a vehicle are sources of distraction that can prevent proper control and significantly increase the likelihood of a road traffic incident. Accordingly, they may not be used while driving a WHO vehicle.
72 Mobile phones, radios or other two-way communication devices may not be used when driving, even when using a hands-free mode/kit. Such devices may only be used after having stopped the vehicle in a safe place.
Managers and/or supervisors should not expect drivers to respond to phone or radio calls while they are driving.
80 Driver distraction
Distraction is a significant cause of road incidents. Drivers and passengers must be aware of the risks associated with driver distraction and must avoid all causes of distraction of the driver, including but not limited to:
- mobile phone use;
- use of radio equipment or in-vehicle technology, such as navigation equipment;
- reading maps/directions whilst driving;
- eating and/or drinking whilst driving;
- chatting with passengers;
- excessive noise/activity from passengers;
- other drivers and road rage.
90 Night driving
Driving at night incurs significant risk and should be avoided after 22.00hrs and before 05.00hrs whenever possible. Any exceptional use of vehicles between these hours must have a valid operational justification and must be authorized by the HWO.
The Transport Focal Point must review night driving instances regularly and escalate concerns appropriately to reduce unnecessary and unacceptable risks to WHO personnel.
100 Audible reversing warnings
All vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 5000 kgs must be fitted with an audible reversing alarm.
110 Daytime driving lights
To make vehicles more likely to be seen by pedestrians and other traffic, especially crossing traffic, all WHO vehicles must be driven with headlights switched on during hours of daylight and hours of darkness.
