Had An Accident Today, Will I Be Sacked?

[Syze]

Basically it was my fault. down a country lane, coming out of a house, looked left, looked right and pulled out left as I turned back left and a van was coming down at about 30-40mph. Too late, swerved and braked, as did he, but caught the side of it. His van dented on the side, not too bad, my van fine save for a few scuffs on the bumper. The guy was fine about it, said it can happen, exchanged details and he went on his way. Not an excuse but it was a dead end lane with him coming from the dead end where traffic very rarely comes from. I guess I was complacent.

Reported it to line manager, who didn't seem too concerned, accidents happen, be careful, blah blah. He's new though and when he found out about a previous incident his tone changed. About 14 months ago I was driving a crew bus and stupidly scraped the side on the gate. I didn't report it because I had never actually been trained on using vans (I had been working in the RLE for years prior to this) and although common sense would say report an accident I didn't really see it as an accident because the damage was minor on a crew bus that was dented and scraped as s**t anyway. Having been made to sweat and arguing that I'd never risk my job if I thought I should have reported it I got off with a warning with my DOM telling me if it wasn't for the fact I hadn't been properly trained I'd have been sacked. I can't remember if I got a suspended dismissal or not.

My Line Manager seemed a bit concerned after finding this out as I suspect he knows what our DOM is like and will sack me if he can.

Am I done for?

[dvbuk55]

No! It's an RTA, no one was hurt. If he wants to do a fact finding get the rep in with you to make certain they are treating this case in the same way they treat all road accidents at your office.

[noggin1969]

I got off with a warning with my DOM telling me if it wasn't for the fact I hadn't been properly trained I'd have been sacked.

more a case of the DOM covering his arse because you had been allowed to take a van out without a change over

[Syze]

I got off with a warning with my DOM telling me if it wasn't for the fact I hadn't been properly trained I'd have been sacked.

more a case of the DOM covering his arse because you had been allowed to take a van out without a change over

Yeah to be honest even though it was only about 14 months ago, I was very naive at the time and just thankful to keep my job...

[fishtank]

3.1 Following A Single Minor Blameworthy Accident

Although removal(from driving) would not be considered the line manger should take a proactive role in discussing with the individual on how such an accident can be avoided in the future with the aim of securing commitment from the individual to try to ensure similar accidents do not recur. Refresher training would be considered if it was apparent a minor fault in the individual’s driving technique needs to be rectified.

[krussel]

At worse all i can see is a temp ban from driving a RM van.

[demon]

no you will be ok it happens evert day in our office

[POSTMAN]

I got off with a warning with my DOM telling me if it wasn't for the fact I hadn't been properly trained I'd have been sacked.

more a case of the DOM covering his arse because you had been allowed to take a van out without a change over

Yeah to be honest even though it was only about 14 months ago, I was very naive at the time and just thankful to keep my job...

Was there a rep involved anywhere here.

[Syze]

I got off with a warning with my DOM telling me if it wasn't for the fact I hadn't been properly trained I'd have been sacked.

more a case of the DOM covering his arse because you had been allowed to take a van out without a change over

Yeah to be honest even though it was only about 14 months ago, I was very naive at the time and just thankful to keep my job...

Was there a rep involved anywhere here.

I think so. To be honest I can't remember much about it. That might seem weird but I've had so much s**t happen in my life since that I've forgot most of the details other than basically just being happy I didn't get sacked...

[eastie]

What I dont like are these reversing bleepers on these new vans.
There are a lot of pot holes on my round and if I reverse near them it sets the bleepers off.
Can they be turned off?

[Stormproof]

At worse all i can see is a temp ban from driving a RM van.

Do they do that or are they that desperate for drivers now? If they done that to me I'd want it to be a permanent ban, just be the walker, a lot less hassle

[RTP]

At worse all i can see is a temp ban from driving a RM van.

Isn't there a limit now on the amount of accidents you can have within a certain timescale before removal from driving duties is considered?

[fng]

3.1 Following A Single Minor Blameworthy Accident

Although removal(from driving) would not be considered the line manger should take a proactive role in discussing with the individual on how such an accident can be avoided in the future with the aim of securing commitment from the individual to try to ensure similar accidents do not recur. Refresher training would be considered if it was apparent a minor fault in the individual’s driving technique needs to be rectified.

Hi Fishtank (or anyone else that knows the answer).... Where do you get the above info from ? Not just on driving but all the rules and regs and proceedures and union/RM agreements etc ? I see folks quoting from them on here all the time and i wouldn't mind a shufty at them myself. Thanks in advance

[Syze]

So if I go in tomorrow and the want to suspend me what should I do?

[bandit650]

If they were going to suspend you then they would of had to do that when you had the accident,i believe the most they will do is give you a blameworthy and you may be made to go through that driver training thing on the computer,they are short of drivers so i really think you should try and relax and not worry to much,you did not kill anyone you did not get injured and the other driver was ok,you said yourself he did not seem to fussed and if the van was not damaged other than scuffs and the other van had a bit of a dent in then just put it down to experience,it happens and the law of averages says that you will have an accident at some point think about the amount of miles you drive on your job.