G10.3.4 Assistance to Motorists
Chapter: Chapter 10: Traffic and Parking Services
Sub-Chapter: 10.3 - Ancillary Traffic Services
Effective Date: 04/11/2024
Revised Date: 04/11/2024
Rescinds: F10.3.4-1 – 3/2022
Purpose
To provide guidance for incidents when the Indiana University Police Department (IUPD) is assisting motorists.
General Order
The IUPD will respond to calls for service involving disabled motorists or other such reports of a person in need of assistance. The IUPD will offer reasonable assistance to a stranded motorist or connect the stranded motorist with the appropriate entity for roadside aid.
General assistance (10.3.4 a)
IUPD personnel will provide information and directions to citizens when asked and will remain familiar with various services and facilities to assist motorists, which may include other university departments and/or external agencies/companies/organizations.
Depending on the campus, another university department may be the primary provider for certain motorist assistance services. Supplemental to or in the absence of these services, the IUPD may provide certain motorist assistance services including the following:
- attempting to unlock/open the door of a locked vehicle using department provided vehicle lock-out tools,
- jump start the battery of a vehicle using department provided jump packs, or
- assist with the changing of a tire on a vehicle.
Prior to providing these motorist assistance services, the IUPD personnel will fill out the F10.3.4-1 Motorist Assist Waiver and have the vehicle’s owner (or driver if the owner is not present) review and sign it. If the owner or driver declines to sign the waiver, the IUPD personnel will not provide the requested service.
Motorist assistance services may be provided to motorists who are located on campus or to members of the university community who are located reasonably contiguous to the campus. Supervisors may decide on a case by case basis whether an off campus location is too far from campus to provide assistance. This does not prohibit an officer who otherwise encounters a motorist in need of assistance regardless of location to provide reasonable assistance while they are on duty. When a safety hazard exists, the officer should stop and render aid or offer assistance. If unable to stop, the officer will notify the dispatch communications center to arrange for an appropriate agency to render the required assistance.
Mechanical assistance and towing service (10.3.4 b)
IUPD personnel will not perform any mechanical automotive repairs as this is outside the scope of their duties. IUPD personnel encountering motorists experiencing mechanical difficulties will make a reasonable effort to assist in obtaining appropriate towing or roadside service for the motorist.
If there is not an immediate need for the vehicle to be removed from its current location, the officer will first ask if the motorist has a preference of a towing company or roadside service. The officer may request the dispatch communications center to assist with contacting the requested services. If the motorist has no preference, the officer will request the dispatch communications center to contact the University-contracted towing company.
IUPD personnel may provide names and locations of local repair or towing companies if requested; however, personnel will not provide any personal recommendations for individual towing companies, mechanics, or other services.
Protection of stranded persons (10.3.4 c)
Officers will take precautions to ensure the safety of the stranded motorist. When in the roadway, officers will use the emergency lights on the police vehicle to indicate to other motorists of a hazard and will position their police vehicle in a manner that provides the maximum safety. Officers will utilize appropriate warning devices as necessary.
A stranded motorist should not be left unattended when they appear to be exposed to hazardous situations with consideration for the location, time of day/night, and weather. Officers should ensure that assistance arrives in a timely fashion and that motorists are directed or actually transported to a place of safety.
Emergency assistance (10.3.4 d)
Officers will provide emergency assistance as deemed necessary and appropriate. Such emergency assistance may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- providing emergency first aid commensurate with the officer’s training,
- requesting emergency medical services assistance,
- extinguishing fires, if safe to do so, and/or
- requesting fire service assistance.
All requests for emergency assistance will be communicated to the dispatch communications center.
Related Information
Indiana University Police Department
- F10.3.4-1 Motorist Assist Waiver