parking in gear

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Log book is a generic term but there must be some record of driver changes.

[pieoftheday]

Log book is a generic term but there must be some record of driver changes.

I know I was just being sarcastic people just sign a sheet of paper when collecting the van keys and of course theres the mandatory van check on the drivers pda

[ConeHater]

why do automatic cars have "park" ?

It locks the transmission, is that similar to putting the vehicle into gear as regards an extra level of preventing the vehicle from moving whilst parked ?

The very issue that you started this thread to complain about.

The LGVs are automatics and the drive selector should be left in neutral when being parked. An audible warning reminds one to put handbrake on. If the vehicle is not left in neutral and enough air leaks out of the system the vehicle will not start and need to be recovered !

Thanks for that info, I didn't know that but I was answering the question about automatic cars

Yes I know, but it seems to be a ‘thing’ to go off on tangents here so I thought I’d chip in !

[Pidleypoo]

Which one of you signs for the van keys? That's only person that should drive, if you havnt signed for the van keys and you have a bump, good luck

I've seen lots of routes which require both parties to drive, they've probably evolved that way. On the PDA you are meant to add a second driver in that scenario.

It just shows how different offices work, it's a no no at ours

Because you’re not allowed to.

Unless someone can produce and updated ssow on this.

Never known 2 people to be allowed to drive the same van on p&l.

Technically it's allowed and possible. But at each driver change the new driver should fill out the log book. Not to do so it against company policy and Road Traffic regulations.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26209

Driver Responsibility
While using shared vans, drivers must follow instructions (contained in the Overnight Retention of Vehicles policy, located on the 6 phase intranet site) by completing the logbook as described. Under Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 Royal Mail has a legal obligation to provide, when required, details on the identity of any driver using a vehicle at a particular time. In order to fulfil this obligation, the Vehicle Condition & Mileage Logbook (the logbook) will be used as the primary day-to-day control record.

For the purposes of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the driver whose name is last recorded in the logbook will be considered responsible for the roadworthiness and security of the vehicle until responsibility is transferred to the next driver by signature in the logbook. Only the driver whose name is recorded in the logbook may drive the vehicle until responsibility is transferred. Subsequent drivers must carry out at least a “duty” level (roadworthiness) vehicle check before driving and the vehicle logbook must be completed in line with the example used in the Overnight Retention of Vehicles Policy, located in the 6 phase intranet site).

Drivers must be able to provide a detailed and accurate record of vehicle transfer between themselves and another driver/s via the logbook.

It is a very serious offence to drive a vehicle without the appropriate driving licence and necessary permission. Any breach of this condition will be treated under the Royal Mail Conduct Code.

Which is more than likely why we’ve always been told not to do it.

[ted_e_bear]

why do automatic cars have "park" ?

It locks the transmission, is that similar to putting the vehicle into gear as regards an extra level of preventing the vehicle from moving whilst parked ?

The very issue that you started this thread to complain about.

The LGVs are automatics and the drive selector should be left in neutral when being parked. An audible warning reminds one to put handbrake on. If the vehicle is not left in neutral and enough air leaks out of the system the vehicle will not start and need to be recovered !

Thanks for that info, I didn't know that but I was answering the question about automatic cars

Yes I know, but it seems to be a ‘thing’ to go off on tangents here so I thought I’d chip in !

That's what I thought too

[bertie]

Back on topic.

The only reason I can think why someone would park and leave a car in neutral.

They started a car without checking gearstick or depressing clutch and car lurched forwards/backwards causing damage/injury.

[webbthespread]

Hi I’m new to the forum, ( just trying to do some research on RoyalMail vans) OK, so this is simple - always park in gear! People have already highlighted that a handbrake/park brake is usually a ratchet mechanism and cable. This can fail at anytime! I just need to stress that an MOT Test is a basic safety check (that’s all). This safety check measures the park brake efficiency at the time of the test only. It is not a check to say that vehicle will be safe for another year. The MOT Test is set at bare minimum standards to be on the road. The cable or mechanism could break the same day of the MOT Test. A lot of modern cars won’t start without the clutch pedal being fully down nowadays, which is a good thing.

[Tman]

People have already highlighted that a handbrake/park brake is usually a ratchet mechanism and cable. This can fail at anytime!

Just like any other mechanism then.
Given the millions of cars produced over the decades is "failing ratchet mechanisms and cables" a quantifiable problem?

[webbthespread]

Hi Tman, the policy is obviously there for a reason. There has probably been a lot of damage, injuries and no doubt death due to failing RoyalMail van handbrakes. The ratchet mechanism on vehicles are built to a price and are probably (I assume) based on average usage. A RoyalMail van has a definite over average use of the handbrake. Also people use the handbrake differently. Do you pull your handbrake on without pressing the button? Some people do, most don’t. So every time it gets pulled up without the button depressed it’s wearing out the ratchet. Perhaps the mechanisms get inspected in the workshops. Are there any RoyalMail technicians on here?

[DaveF14]

Every winter I tell the day off cover to leave it out of gear. The gear box freezes over and its solid in the morning. So Im left either sitting with the clutch in for half hour or I wrench it out breaking the gear linkages. Every winter. Thick as.....

[scoobymunster]

Every winter I tell the day off cover to leave it out of gear. The gear box freezes over and its solid in the morning. So Im left either sitting with the clutch in for half hour or I wrench it out breaking the gear linkages. Every winter. Thick as.....

How old/ what type of van is that??

[ted_e_bear]

Every winter I tell the day off cover to leave it out of gear. The gear box freezes over and its solid in the morning. So Im left either sitting with the clutch in for half hour or I wrench it out breaking the gear linkages. Every winter. Thick as.....

How old/ what type of van is that??

It happens to the Peugeot Partners when it's been a particularly cold frosty night.

[DaveF14]

Every winter I tell the day off cover to leave it out of gear. The gear box freezes over and its solid in the morning. So Im left either sitting with the clutch in for half hour or I wrench it out breaking the gear linkages. Every winter. Thick as.....

How old/ what type of van is that??

It happens to the Peugeot Partners when it's been a particularly cold frosty night.

Correct. 15 plate, rural duty, loads of crap frozen underneath.

[CharlesSpooner]

Every winter I tell the day off cover to leave it out of gear. The gear box freezes over and its solid in the morning. So Im left either sitting with the clutch in for half hour or I wrench it out breaking the gear linkages. Every winter. Thick as.....

If RM constantly tell the cover to leave the van in gear then that's what they should do. If you have to sit in a van for 30 minutes rather than delivering then that's RMs problem and it's up to them to sort out their poor fleet choices.