(A) Employees will not use cellular telephones or any other mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle to read or respond to emails or text messages or accessing the internet unless an exception under division (C) below applies. Employees are prohibited from wearing a headset or earphones over or in both ears. This policy is in effect while operating a city owned vehicle or operating a privately owned vehicle while conducting city business.
(B) Furthermore, employees, unless an exception under division (C) below applies, should consider:
(1) Turning off wireless phones before starting the car;
(2) Pulling over to a safe place and putting the vehicle in “park” if a call must be made or received while on the road;
(3) Modifying voicemail greeting to indicate the employee is unavailable to answer calls or return messages while driving;
(4) Informing clients, associates and others of this policy and an explanation on why calls may not be returned immediately; and
(5) Pulling over to a safe place and putting the vehicle in “park” to make adjustments to a global positioning system (GPS) or other navigational device.
(C) Pursuant to KRS 189.292, this policy will not apply to an emergency or public safety vehicle when the use of a personal communication device is an essential function of the vehicle operator’s official duties.