Private Cars on Delivery - Police Warning

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB 820/09 - Private Cars on Delivery - Police Warning to Members regarding Insurance & Road Safety: Royal Mail Confirm Intention to Remove the Use of

No. 820/09
Ref V1
Date: 22 September 2009


To: All Branches


Dear Colleagues


Private Cars on Delivery - Police Warning to Members regarding Insurance & Road Safety: Royal Mail Confirm Intention to Remove the Use of Private Cars on Delivery:


On Tuesday the 18th of August, a Postman working out of the Woodford Green Delivery Office in Essex was using his private car on delivery. He was subsequently stopped in an Essex Police road safety spot check. Although he was an authorised user and believed he was covered the Police were not happy with his motor insurance cover and so they impounded his car. He got it back later that day for a combined fee of £350, including fine, towing and release fees. Plus he had to upgrade his motor insurance to include business use at a cost of a further £70 – (£420 in total) before the car was released by the Police.


The Postman also got 6 points put on his Drivers Licence.


Since then a further Postman in Runcorn was stopped by Police whilst performing his duty and using his private car. It was discovered that he had no MOT and no business insurance. He received an on the spot fine of £60 and had his car impounded which cost £200 to be released.


The Postman also got 6 points on his licence.


Royal Mail accepts no responsibility for either case or any future cases similar to these and clearly the Police are cracking down!.


The Union's firmly held view in that members should not use their private cars on delivery and that the Insurance issue is a 'minefield' which Royal Mail has never resolved. These are two cases in point that prove it!


A letter was sent to Royal Mail's Director of Safety Norman Smith on 2 September about the Woodford Green case, pointing out as follows "I have been told several times that Royal Mail intend to cease the use of private cars on delivery and perhaps you can update me as to when that will happen and with it Royal Mail will demonstrate they are serious about Safety and reducing occupational road risk".


Norman Smith Royal Mail Safety Director replied "Thank you very much for your letter of 2 September outlining your concerns about private car use. I can confirm that it is our intention to remove the use of private cars on delivery as part of the deployment of the new delivery methods, and so remove incidents like the example you cite. Our approach to the removal of private cars on delivery is one of the points for further discussion when the CWU is able to meet up with Tessa Fayers and Kevin O'Brien who are leading the deployment of new Delivery Methods. Having committed as you recall, to deploying this policy some time ago we are keen to involve the CWU and enlist your support in our communications approach to the removal of private cars on delivery, as we deploy the new delivery methods. The Delivery Methods team is currently arranging a date to meet the CWU with a view to updating you on project progress and this will be an opportunity to revisit discussions on the removal of private cars on delivery.”


We welcome this statement which has also been affirmed in the National talks currently taking place between Royal Mail and CWU regarding the current dispute. We will see shortly how committed Royal Mail is to a fixing a timetable to remove private car use on delivery. In the meantime Branches may wish to bring the details of the above cases to their members attention as a warning and remind them that our view is - Don't use private cars on delivery. Why risk a prosecution, points on your licence, fines, fees, accident, injury, loss or theft of your own private property. Why foot the bill for wear and tear, fuel costs and any damage and losses like increased insurance premiums, loss of your no-claim bonus, fixed penalties and parking fines etc. When things go wrong and accidents happen, many members regret having used the car. When it is broken down, banged up or worn out and off the road, Royal Mail will not help out. Members are not paid for using their cars on delivery and they do not need to use the car – SO DON’T is our advice. Use only official means of transport at all times.





Yours Sincerely




Dave Joyce Bobby Gibson
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer Outdoor Asst Secretary

[Cut Off King]

Typical car user in my delivery office ~~~~

[DGP1]

If RM are actually serious, they would make it a conduct issue to use a private car. It's a case of the people in charge issuing directive which are then ignored by by frontline managers to help them achieve ever increasing targets.

[Lounge Lizard]

It makes a change for the rozzers to be doing something worthwhile for once.

[bandit1157]

If RM are actually serious, they would make it a conduct issue to use a private car. It's a case of the people in charge issuing directive which are then ignored by by frontline managers to help them achieve ever increasing targets.

i don't think rm is the least bit concerned, they didn't pay the fine. as long as they look concerned that's good enough. i don't get sent out on a certain walk because there is no bag drops, been none for two years [new estate] and no intention of installing any boxes, why should they go to the expense when there's always someone who will oblige by using their car.

[Jack Mehoff]

This is how you do it!!
Firstly make sure that you use the ex wife/missus car.
Secondly make sure you fill the car to the brim with post.
If you are lucky enough to get pulled by the old bill then let them take the car and everything that is in it.
Now your manager has to get in touch with your ex to get the vehicle released so that he can retrieve the post from the vehicle.
I would suffer the points on my brief just to see how the DOM gets out of a very difficult situation.

ps. That's WD on a Premier league scale!!!

[piranha]

Serves him right!