Sharing a van with a bad or reckless driver

[DGP1]

The problem with a bad driver is they don't realise they are a bad driver. How many times in the course of a day do you come across some a-hole speeding, overtaking in a bad place, undertaking, chancing their arm coming out of a junction or on a roundabout - make no mistake they are out there in abundance. As for getting in a van with one...............the first mistake with me as a passenger would be his last with me as a passenger. There are people going out on driving duties that have not had the requisite AA test for RM drivers. One of our drivers, who's over 60 had a slight bump in the yard and had to have the AA test, though he's been driving for 40 years the AA bloke said his driving was below standard and he'd have to go out again - he refused and came off driving though I would consider his driving standard more than adequate.

The blame's not just with Royal Mail then but with the government who lets you pass a test at 17 ( which doesn't even indicate you're a good driver ) then carry on driving unhindered until you're 70. If we're serious about road safety then driving tests, with an appropriate thorough medical test, should be retaken every five years and more frequently than that after 50 years of age.

I'm a better driver now than I was at 17.......or 22.........or 27 but by f**k I don't think I can pass another driving test (it makes me break into a cold sweat just thinking about another driving test and a good reason for not drinking and driving).

[dvbuk55]

The problem with a bad driver is they don't realise they are a bad driver. How many times in the course of a day do you come across some a-hole speeding, overtaking in a bad place, undertaking, chancing their arm coming out of a junction or on a roundabout - make no mistake they are out there in abundance. As for getting in a van with one...............the first mistake with me as a passenger would be his last with me as a passenger. There are people going out on driving duties that have not had the requisite AA test for RM drivers. One of our drivers, who's over 60 had a slight bump in the yard and had to have the AA test, though he's been driving for 40 years the AA bloke said his driving was below standard and he'd have to go out again - he refused and came off driving though I would consider his driving standard more than adequate.

The blame's not just with Royal Mail then but with the government who lets you pass a test at 17 ( which doesn't even indicate you're a good driver ) then carry on driving unhindered until you're 70. If we're serious about road safety then driving tests, with an appropriate thorough medical test, should be retaken every five years and more frequently than that after 50 years of age.

I'm a better driver now than I was at 17.......or 22.........or 27 but by f**k I don't think I can pass another driving test (it makes me break into a cold sweat just thinking about another driving test and a good reason for not drinking and driving).

Well there are a couple of things I would change. First it would be zero tolerance on drink and drive. Second would be to introduce a driving test for people who are blameworthy in an accident and those caught smoking whilst driving, using a mobile phone whilst driving or eating whilst driving. I think that a retest after 60 would be better and no licence for anyone under 25 without an accomplished driver in the vehicle and finally a speed limit not exceeding 5 mph and someone in front with a red flag, no just joking.

[DB1100]

The problem with a bad driver is they don't realise they are a bad driver. How many times in the course of a day do you come across some a-hole speeding, overtaking in a bad place, undertaking, chancing their arm coming out of a junction or on a roundabout - make no mistake they are out there in abundance. As for getting in a van with one...............the first mistake with me as a passenger would be his last with me as a passenger. There are people going out on driving duties that have not had the requisite AA test for RM drivers. One of our drivers, who's over 60 had a slight bump in the yard and had to have the AA test, though he's been driving for 40 years the AA bloke said his driving was below standard and he'd have to go out again - he refused and came off driving though I would consider his driving standard more than adequate.

The blame's not just with Royal Mail then but with the government who lets you pass a test at 17 ( which doesn't even indicate you're a good driver ) then carry on driving unhindered until you're 70. If we're serious about road safety then driving tests, with an appropriate thorough medical test, should be retaken every five years and more frequently than that after 50 years of age.

How the hell are people going to be able to afford a driving test every five years,this and other greedy government's already hammer the poor motorist.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

The problem with a bad driver is they don't realise they are a bad driver. How many times in the course of a day do you come across some a-hole speeding, overtaking in a bad place, undertaking, chancing their arm coming out of a junction or on a roundabout - make no mistake they are out there in abundance. As for getting in a van with one...............the first mistake with me as a passenger would be his last with me as a passenger. There are people going out on driving duties that have not had the requisite AA test for RM drivers. One of our drivers, who's over 60 had a slight bump in the yard and had to have the AA test, though he's been driving for 40 years the AA bloke said his driving was below standard and he'd have to go out again - he refused and came off driving though I would consider his driving standard more than adequate.

The blame's not just with Royal Mail then but with the government who lets you pass a test at 17 ( which doesn't even indicate you're a good driver ) then carry on driving unhindered until you're 70. If we're serious about road safety then driving tests, with an appropriate thorough medical test, should be retaken every five years and more frequently than that after 50 years of age.

How the hell are people going to be able to afford a driving test every five years,this and other greedy government's already hammer the poor motorist.

They need to change the driving test.

The test is only designed to see if you are a safe driver on the day of your test, and the instructors only prepare you to pass the test, not to equip you for driving in all conditions.

My own view is that simple daily checks that military and RM drivers do should also form part of the test.

Also "P" plates should be officially recognised for a certain period and that they have restrictions placed on them (Australia and NZ do this) say for 2 years so that there is a good chance all weather conditions are experienced before they move to a full licence.

Also vehicle control should be part of the instruction, like a skid pan and/or off-road in the probationary period all of this would help people develop driving skills rather than passing test skills.

[hubbahubba]

Get your mobile phone out,switch to the videorecorder function and record a part of the journey.Theres your proof.You could just tell the driver that you are going to record part of your journey,and that may well be enough to improve their driving?

[mccoop]

Take a book to read,if you dont make it get week or two on the sick!!!

[Lounge Lizard]

As far as I know nobody's been killed, or even seriously injured, sharing a Royal Mail van and until that happens nothing is likely to change.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

As far as I know nobody's been killed, or even seriously injured, sharing a Royal Mail van and until that happens nothing is likely to change.

No but there has been a close call......

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 18&t=42736" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Two postmen who had been behind their van were hit.

They were taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham for treatment.

It’s not thought their injuries were serious.