Accident

[Phelim21]

Looking a bit of advice I'd an accident in my van very recently where I reversed into a of steel staircase handrail and put a dent in the back door on the van but there was no structural damage to the customers property. I told my cover manager when I got back to the office and he said we'll wait till Monday until the normal managers got back from holidays. I don't want them to report it as I'll be taken off driving duties and also the van is a piece of s**t as the gearbox is fecked when reversing and going into gear and none of sensors work. I've also given myself whiplash and a sore back which is adding to my stress. Could I say the van was unroadworthy or is it too late as I've been driving the van b4 the accident.

[SpacePhoenix]

If the van was un-roadworthy, why hadn't it been signed off as out of use?

[Deadly]

The acting manager should have reported the accident straight away. I don't think you'll be able to use the faulty reversing sensors as an excuse as they should only be used as a guide, unfortunately if a van is unroadworthy the buck stops with the driver. If you're in pain with your neck and back get it checked out by a doctor.

[Phelim21]

Because it needs a new gearbox and the workshop wouldn't replace as they said its not worth it as the van has too many miles and are waiting on it to breakdown to decide what to do with it.

[Sean06]

why did you drive it if you knew it was unroadworthy.would you drive your own car if it was unroadworthy?.

[ConeHater]

Common sense would suggest that as the van is in its twilight years they wouldn’t be too harsh but nowadays I fear they will still go through the ERICA process, multiple “fact finding “ interviews and take you off driving all costing the business £1,000s, if you have a good conduct and sick record they will count for nothing and they’ll drag the process out and affect your mental health in the meantime ! Good luck !

[ted_e_bear]

As always in cases like this honesty is the best policy, you've reported it to the cover manager who presumably won't be there next week, as other comment he should have dealt with it himself so I'd assume because he couldn't be arsed with that he probably won't have left a note for the proper manager either, could you try and wing it, not say anything and see if you get challenged and if so carry on as though you expected that conversation due to you informing the cover man.

Blaming faulty sensors or anything else won't work bearing in mind all the "training" we've had to sign as being read and understood regarding driving vans, there'll have been something in that saying don't reverse if you can't safely carry out the manoeuvre.

[qwerty2]

Was the staircase OK

[Sean06]

why did you drive it if you knew it was unroadworthy.would you drive your own car if it was unroadworthy?.

Tell me you've never worked a delivery duty in your life without telling me you've never worked a delivery duty

I that you Sean


Aaron08

Whats being on delivery duty got to do with it (carryingmgmt) how you are still allowed to post on here after being banned is unreal.if the van is unroadworthy why take the chance an drive it.an ile ask you would you drive your own car if it was unroadworthy?? Knowing you,you probably would as most fools would.

[TopperGas]

The van doesn't sound "unroadworthy" to me as there's no legal requirement to have rear sensors and the gearbox just sounds dodgy not unroadworthy.

How much damage was done to the van as if it's still roadworthy i.e. no damage to the lights or number plate and the doors still lock, what's the point in the manager reporting it if it's already nearing the end of its life at RM, as the damage is not going to ever be repaired by RM?

[funkflex55]

Was the staircase OK

It's had its ups and downs

[Smoothbackground]

Was the staircase OK

It's had its ups and downs

You walked — or should that be reversed — right into that one!

[postslippete]

Best to take a level headed approach and take things step by step.


You've reported the accident (or incident) at the time which was absolutely the right thing to do. If you're still in quite a bit of pain tomorrow go on sick and get it checked out. If it isn't that bad, you go in. No structural damage to the property is a plus and our vans are generally old and knackered anyway, so they won't be too bothered about that. In the past, posties that had a minor bump were usually taken off driving and had to take a van re-test before they could drive again. Unfortunately, they got rid of the guy who used to do that and expect you to be driving at some time in the future. All depends on how desperate your office is for drivers I guess. While you are off driving, enjoy riding shotgun.

[ted_e_bear]

Was the staircase OK

It's had its ups and downs

It's had it's fair share of twists and turns

..... I'll get my coat

[Barnacle]

How fast were you reversing to give yourself whiplash?! I wouldn’t mention that when you get a speaking to.