Conn. Governor: How Are the State Workers Driving?
Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced the public has a new way to help ensure that state vehicles are consistently operated in a safe and courteous manner.
An online reporting system is available for citizens to log their observations of the driving behavior of state government employees operating state vehicles. Over the following months, bumpers stickers will be affixed to every state vehicle managed by the Department of Administrative Services that asks "Am I Driving Safely?" and includes the Internet link FLEET.CT.GOV for an online reporting form. The stickers will not appear on vehicles used for investigative and undercover work.
"Connecticut citizens as well as visitors to our state have every reason to expect cautious and courteous driving by state employees," Rell said. "They have every right to let us know if anyone in a state vehicle is not obeying the rules of the road. This is really another way to ensure that state government is responsive to the citizens it serves."
Developed by DAS, the program offers more systematic way of acquiring and responding to citizen reports and is a reminder to drivers of state fleet vehicles that the public pays attention to how they drive. The online form has a user-friendly format that accommodates comments, complaints and criticism.
"The most frequent complaints received about fleet vehicles are that the driver was going too fast or that the driver appeared to be talking on their cell phone," said DAS Fleet Director Frank Sanzo.
DAS manages about 4,230 vehicles. In a letter to all state agency heads, Rell said DAS Fleet Operations will contact them regarding any comments received on a vehicle assigned to their agency.