crashed van into another vehicle

[johnforshaw202]

Hello

I am fairly new to RM and today whilst on my delivery I hitanother vehicle from the back in my van.

Basically I was parked down a side street and when I returned to my van there was another van parked pretty close. I had to go forward so I could safely come out of side street.

I put van into gear and went to go forward but van came out of gear and went backwards (as parked on slight slope) resulting in a small impact. The damage was a cracked reg plate and cracked bumper and the RM van had no damage at all. Also luckily the other vehicle was empty and I waited for owner so I could exchange details.

I have reported it but I am terrified as I have heard different things from managers on this including that I shouldn't worry to people being sacked.

Can anyone please give me any advice on the outcome and procedures and how much trouble I am in. Also can anyone please share their experiences as I am worried that I could lose my job even though I've been told not to worry about it.

[Nondescript]

You probably have nothing to worry about, one of the numpties in our office reversed into an RM bipper (in the yard!) a few weeks ago and put a big dent in it and he got a talking to in the office and that was it.

[johnforshaw202]

Thanks for quick reply. Obviously very concerned as it was a none RM van. I have been told by the fleet manager not to worry but I keep reading posts on this of people being suspended and sacked for similar things.

[Nondescript]

The only vehicle related incident I know of where someone was suspended involved a transit an going through the front of someone's house. But it was found to be handbrake failure while the van was empty, so he had nowt to worry about.

[DGP1]

As long as you've had your changeover test then there is nothing to worry about.
I've had 3 accidents and all that happened was I had a driver improvement thingy to do (a day of driving around with an instructor and showing some improvement).

[johnforshaw202]

Thanks yes I did my test on my second day of joining. Again thanks for replies. My only concern is seeing so many posts of people getting sacked or suspended and I have only been in job 3 months so don't want to get sacked over this. I would even pay damage costs myself to save me getting into trouble. Paranoia I know but just need advice. Did you hit another vehicle in your 3 accidents?

[Deadly]

Chill. As has been said you will be fine.

[PostieSP1]

Thanks for quick reply. Obviously very concerned as it was a none RM van. I have been told by the fleet manager not to worry but I keep reading posts on this of people being suspended and sacked for similar things.

Only if you're a costly 20yr+ 6 weeks Hol Full timer!

[bustedflush]

Thanks yes I did my test on my second day of joining. Again thanks for replies. My only concern is seeing so many posts of people getting sacked or suspended and I have only been in job 3 months so don't want to get sacked over this. I would even pay damage costs myself to save me getting into trouble. Paranoia I know but just need advice. Did you hit another vehicle in your 3 accidents?

One bloke wrote a van off and nearly killed me in the passenger seat. Totally his fault, no disciplinary. Another p/t reserve wrote one off recently, just got questions asked, no disciplinary. Really don't worry. It's a RM insurance matter, happens nearly daily somewhere or other. As long as you did your lapsing still, you'll be fine. I don't believe insurance claims from the RM fund are detrimental to manager bonuses.

[wannabeek]

Seriously, chill out about this. I know of a postie who bumped into a manager's shiny car in a similar way you have described. All sorts of threats and hissy-fits ensued but the result was a brief chat in the office and a form to be filled in. Took them longer to find the form on the computer than it did to tick the boxes!

[dave72]

At our office they take you off driving until it is investigated, and sometimes after that they put you through your change over test again

[Mr_Pink]

At our office they take you off driving until it is investigated, and sometimes after that they put you through your change over test again

They used to do this at our office, until they became short of drivers - our fleet is in a terrible state.

[villan]

In our office there have been quite a few accidents. One guy I know of has had at least two in the past year. Not one of the drivers has been sacked. As others have said, your manager might get you to have a driving reassessment.

Managers treat van security more seriously that accidents. e.g. if you're caught leaving your keys and/or mail in an unlocked, unattended vehicle then you're liable for a driving ban at the very least, though they might be lenient for a first offence.

[krussel]

but van came out of gear and went backwards

PMR the van as it has a fault with the sync on the gearbox.

[dave72]

Managers treat van security more seriously that accidents. e.g. if you're caught leaving your keys and/or mail in an unlocked, unattended vehicle then you're liable for a driving ban at the very least, though they might be lenient for a first offence.

Or specials on the front seat