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Transportation – Accidents and Repairs

In Case of an Accident:

If you should have an accident while driving a college-owned vehicle, it is imperative that it be reported to the local police department. Simply exchanging insurance information with the other driver is not acceptable. The accident should be reported even if it does not involve another vehicle.

In addition, the Facilities Office, and your department or unit, must be notified immediately of any accidents involving a college vehicle.  The Office may be reached from off-campus by calling 760/744-1150, extension 2629, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; after hours and on weekends, please contact the Director, Facilities.  Phone information is provided on the Trip Ticket Packet Slip.

When you have been in an accident, you must:

  • Stop at once.
  • Get immediate medical attention if you are injured.
  • Remain calm and do not argue.  Arguing can result in a lawsuit.
  • DO NOT ADMIT RESPONSIBILITY
  • Never agree to make payments for the accident.
  • Discuss the accident only with police officers, the College’s insurance company (Keenan & Associates) and College officials.
  • Record as much information as you can on all other parties to the accident.  This insurance may include the following:
    • Their insurance company
    • Their name
    • License number
    • Plate number
    • Make
    • Model
    • Year of vehicle
    • How the accident happened
    • Witnesses (with addresses and phone numbers)
  • Take required precautions to prevent further accidents at the scene (place triangle reflectors, if available)
  • Complete provided SWACC Accident Report (form is located inside Trip Ticket Packet) and turn into Facilities Office.  Completed form will be turned into District’s Risk Management Office.
Charter Buses:

If your issue is related to a breakdown problem the driver, who is provided by the Charter Bus facility,immediately contact Coach America San Diego dispatch.

  • All drivers are provided with two-way radios for direct and easy communication with dispatch
    • The dispatcher on duty helps the driver diagnose the problem and works with the driver to resolve, if possible.
    • Most problems that occur are minor and can be quickly diagnosed and fixed between the dispatcher and the driver.
    • If the problem cannot be resolved between the dispatcher and the driver, a maintenance manger or mechanic will assess the situation on the phone with the driver.
  • This timeline exceeds no more than five-to-ten minutes before further action is called for.
  • If the problem still cannot be resolved, a mechanic may be dispatched to the location of the vehicle (depending on the proximity of the vehicle to Coach America’s location). 
    • For out-of-town trips, the closest Coach America location will be contacted for assistance.
    • If the problem is diagnosed as a “major” problem on the phone, a replacement bus may also be dispatched immediately.

By operating in many cities throughout the United States and specifically in Southern California, there is usually a Coach America facility in close proximity to every trip.  Coach America also has affiliations with other maintenance shops, transportation companies, etc., for further assistance where needed.

It is always Coach America’s goal to correct a mechanical issue as soon as possible.  A mechanical issue is always given an immediate response.  To determine the average delay for any breakdown is difficulty, but as mentioned above most problems are minor and can be corrected with a quick phone call.  Relative to the number of total miles Coach America travels throughout our entire fleet, major issues are very rare.

Coach America maintains our vehicles at industry leading standards and in accordance with CADOT and CHP.

Fleet Vehicles:

Please follow the procedures below so we can help you get back on the road ASAP:

If a vehicle breakdown occurs during normal operating hours, please contact the Facilities Office, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at extension 2629 or via email FacilitiesOffice@palomar.edu our staff will coordinate alternative transportation and vehicle towing.

If a vehicle breakdown occurs after hours and weekends, please contact the Director, Facilities.  Phone information is provided on the Trip Ticket Packet Slip.

  1. Move the vehicle, if possible, to a safe location.
  2. If the vehicle is not in a safe location or unable to be moved, please inform us.
  3. Inform the Facilities Office of the vehicle breakdown ASAP.  All repairs must be authorized through the Facilities Office.
Rental Vehicles:

If your issue is related to a mechanical problem (flat tire, dead battery, accident, etc.) please contact Enterprise-Rent-A-Car Roadside Assistance department at 1-800-307-6666 (this number is located on the back of the rental agreement).  The driver should ensure that they have the agreement with them at all times.   If you have an issue that is not mechanical please contact the office that you rented from for assistance:

            Enterprise Rent-A-Car

            644 West San Marcos Boulevard, Suite 112

            San Marcos CA  92078-1138

            760/591-4120, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., closed Sundays.

“Roadside Assistance” is subbed out to AAA by Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

The driver of the rental vehicles must let “Roadside Assistance” know the following information:

  • What size replacement vehicle is required?
  • The number of passengers.
  • Inform dispatcher that time is of the essence in order to get to an Athletic competition as a forfeiture could occur if our Athletic team doesn’t arrive on time.

A Tow-Truck driver will be dispatched and a report sent by AAA to Enterprise-Rent-A-Car.  It’s possible that the Palomar College driver may have to go with the Tow-Truck driver to the Enterprise Office/Location to pick-up the replacement vehicle.  It is also possible that Enterprise-Rent-A-Car will send a replacement vehicle out to the site.

It is imperative that the Palomar College driver not leave the site until the Tow-Truck arrives even if a replacement vehicle arrives on-site first.  After the Palomar College driver meets the Tow-Truck driver and even if a replacement vehicle has arrived, the Palomar College driver can then continue on his/her way.

The replacement vehicle can be driven back to the Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch, reference information above, to be returned as usual.  Just like if we were using the Palomar College Fleet Vehicles, there can be no guarantee that waiting time will be minimal.

If you require any other assistance, please contact the Purchasing Supervisor at 760/744-1150, extension 2139.

Repair Procedures:

All safety discrepancies must be reported, on the Vehicle Operator Trip Ticket Form, to the Facilities Office immediately for repair action.  Under no circumstances shall an unsafe vehicle be operated.

Safety discrepancies include but are not limited to:

  • Any discrepancy that hinders efficient and safe operation of the vehicle
  • Brakes
  • Fuel leaks
  • Lighting and signals
  • Steering
  • Tires
Towing Vehicles:

Please follow the procedures below so we can help you get back on the road ASAP:

If a vehicle breakdown occurs during normal operating hours, please contact the Facilities Office, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at extension 2629 or via email FacilitiesOffice@palomar.edu as our staff will coordinate alternative transportation and vehicle towing.

If a vehicle breakdown occurs after hours and weekends, please contact the Director, Facilities.  Phone information is provided on the Trip Ticket Packet Slip.