RM van delaying other traffic.

[Lounge Lizard]

Are there any guidelines or rules as to what is or isn't acceptable regarding all those times we use vans in towns and by stopping for delivery or collection have no alternative but to hold up traffic behind us due to no parking places on or off road and only a single carriageway due to a narrow street or parked vehicles ?
Obviously we are as quick as practical, would get out of the way for a blue flashing light, are as courteous as possible to other road users but what about those impatient so and sos who blast on the horn when you've barely stopped for a minute ?
And are we in a privileged position as it's the Queen's mail ?

[krussel]

are we in a privileged position as it's the Queen's mail ?

I very much doubt it as we have to obey the laws of the road the same as everyone else. I rem something about 20 min free parking for RM vans on parking meters, but not sure if i would risk it.

[wacko74]

I thought we could play the old "mail security" card to justify parking on double yellows etc?

[Terry Butcher]

I was told that the red RM vans are legally allowed to run red lights as they are "the Queen's vehicles". Surely this isn't true, right?

Anyway, you make a good point about RM vans blocking roads left, right and centre. Park and loop might be viable in the suburbs and rural locations, but what happens when you have to find a space to park on inner-city terraced streets that are already jam packed full of cars parked on the road?

[BettySwollocks]

I was told that the red RM vans are legally allowed to run red lights as they are "the Queen's vehicles". Surely this isn't true, right?

This is probably a myth, and not one that i'd dare to try, but,
i heard that police are not allowed to stop Royal Mail vehicles for any reason,
red lights, speeding, whatever !!

[Terry Butcher]

I was told that the red RM vans are legally allowed to run red lights as they are "the Queen's vehicles". Surely this isn't true, right?

This is probably a myth, and not one that i'd dare to try, but,
i heard that police are not allowed to stop Royal Mail vehicles for any reason,
red lights, speeding, whatever !!

Ahh, that's probably what was meant by whoever told me: It's not that they are allowed to do it... it's just that they can get away with it! I'll be behind the wheel of a red van before long...dare i test this theory?

[plainpat]

I was told that the red RM vans are legally allowed to run red lights as they are "the Queen's vehicles". Surely this isn't true, right?

This is probably a myth, and not one that i'd dare to try, but,
i heard that police are not allowed to stop Royal Mail vehicles for any reason,
red lights, speeding, whatever !!

As someone who got done for doing 42 in a 30mph zone in an RM van some years ago (officer with a gun), I can definitely say they do stop you, and book you, and it's YOUR licence that gets the points not Royal Mail

(mind you, he did say to me, after he had written out the ticket, that if i had been doing under 40mph he might have used his discretion, and then as I was leaving warned me there was another unit operating at the other end of town)

[DGP1]

I was told that the red RM vans are legally allowed to run red lights as they are "the Queen's vehicles". Surely this isn't true, right?

This is probably a myth, and not one that i'd dare to try, but,
i heard that police are not allowed to stop Royal Mail vehicles for any reason,
red lights, speeding, whatever !!

Ahh, that's probably what was meant by whoever told me: It's not that they are allowed to do it... it's just that they can get away with it! I'll be behind the wheel of a red van before long...dare i test this theory?

It's an urban legend, you have to obey the same road rules as everyone else on the road, the only thing is they cannot check your van, if they want to do that they need to take you back to the office and do it there along with your manager.

[fmrPOSTIE]

Complete Myth: Running red lights

True: Can park on double yellow, in fact anywhere you want so long as you are on Universal Service business. This applies to other carriers aswell, I believe.

[POSTMAN]

Not other carriers,we have the Crown on our vans,that is why we are special.
Parcelforce boys get hammered all the time.

[baldrick]

AFAIK RM vans are allowed to park anywhere, except on disabled bays, diplomatic service parking bays, and on
the approaches to pedestrian crossings, if they are collecting or delivering mail. But I think if a police officer asks
you to move (if for instance you are causing an obstruction) you do have to.
RM vans are subject to speed restrictions.

[not me]

I was told that the red RM vans are legally allowed to run red lights as they are "the Queen's vehicles". Surely this isn't true, right?

Anyway, you make a good point about RM vans blocking roads left, right and centre. Park and loop might be viable in the suburbs and rural locations, but what happens when you have to find a space to park on inner-city terraced streets that are already jam packed full of cars parked on the road?

I raised the same question on my old duty
how the f**k can i park and loop with no parking!

[hunnybunny1690]

i know from my partner that years ago the police at roadside checks etc used to wave our vans through ,he also remembers one policeman tried to stop our driver emptying a red pillar box as it was situated at a bus stop, after the policeman radioed his office he was told to leave our driver alone , my partner also remembers that years ago when such stuff as staff wages were carried in vans (when people still got wage packets) the drivers had a card which read "please follow me to the nearest crown office" which were used if somewone wanted access to your van, maybe that was why the police didnt try and stop us back then

[TeeferTiger]

Driver security sheet (which we should've all signed) states that whilst they can stop us, we do not have to leave the vehicle. We can wind the window down slightly and ask them to follow us back to the DO and you can phone your manager and ask them to meet you there. Same with VOSA.

Them's RM's rules anyway for safeguarding the mail.

As for blocking the road... I'd use the same security rules for drivers argument. You're not meant to let the van out of your sight. I, for one, LOVE causing traffic queues on the prom while I empty the boxes on there. Gives me great satisfaction seeing as it's those buggers that'll mean I have to take the long way home because of the other traffic jams they've caused.

Our DOM told us we're NOT allowed to park/stop in bus stops/taxi ranks and we're to double park if we're emptying boxes etc. So... stop in a bus stop out the way... or block one side of the main road through the centre of town... Hmmmm.... Blocking the road it is then!

Cue the dirty looks and tuts and shaking of heads by the general public thinking I'm being a dumb woman and discourteous driver.

Thanks RM!

[wolfie citizen smith]

I would suggest that all drivers read the Health and Safety Executives Workplace Transport Safety 22 page overview