how to deal with colleagues dangerous driving?

Something Else

Something Else

Something Else

Soldato
Joined
19 Feb 2012
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4,409
*if the mods think this would be better suited to the motors forum then please feel free to move it*

I've been working for my current company since August 2012 and the guy i work with currently is fine as a person but his driving as far as im concerned is just dangerous and i'm almost to the point of refusing to be in the van with him.

Its a large multi-national company and the work vans have the company name and logo on all sides of the work van.

the way my colleague drives is, to me, appalling. He drives extremely close to vehicles in front, around 1 cars length to less than a meter or so, which puts me on edge. I feel embarrassed and also unsafe. He doesn't obey the speed limit as in his exact words "the speed limit should be a speed minimum" he constantly slams the brakes on at the last second. he drives way too fast for the road conditions, thrashing the van around blind corners and generally just being too aggressive on the road and especially in a work van which makes us more identifiable.

a couple of times he got so close to the vehicle in front i could literally see what the guy had on the radio and the driver in front slammed his breaks on in what i assume to be a protest at my colleagues driving, he then said "why is he braking?"

i have mentioned his driving a few times to him now but it doesn't sink in, im reluctant to mention this to my manager as im still new, dont want to cause myself any unneeded hassle or atmosphere, i also don't want the guy im with to get in trouble or have his van taken away.

ive been thinking about speaking to the other more experienced craftsmen about it and ask their advice but i don't know if this will cause issues either

im allowed to drive the work vans but the van the guy has is one he uses to get to and from work and is technically his own work van (supplied by work but looked after by him)

also i should mention he constantly uses his mobile phone while behind the wheel, no matter what speed he is doing. this is as far as im aware illegal

any help is appreciated.
 
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Get a GPS tracking app on your phone.

Get log of retarded driving and submit it to superiors with your concerns in writing. :)
 
Why don't you say 'You drive like a lunatic and if you keep it up I won't get in the van with you anymore and I'll tell them the truth when they ask me. Please be less of a nutter in future'
 
My boss does this all the time. I nearly died on at least two occasions today and he hit a van carrying a glass pane on the metal frame; fortunately the chap driving didn't notice and there were no real adverse effects except the dent in my boss's car! I just take the **** out of him for it to be honest, despite being constantly terrified.
 
just flat out telling him he is driving dangerously doesnt work, i tell him, he gets annoyed i dont like his driving and then drives even worse. its either i tell my manager (also his manager) or just refuse to get in the van with him and make my job harder, im an apprentice and getting the work done is key as i have targets that need to be completed and signed off in order to complete my apprenticeship. my worry is that if i make an issue of this then others working for the company will be un willing to work with more and sign off my work.
 
Poofy new age non-violent conversation template:

1) When you do X, it makes me feel like Y
2) I need you to do Z
3) Can you do that for me

So... When you drive like a nutter, it makes me feel like I can't work with you. I need you to drive like a normal human being. Can you do that for me?

If Yes, sweet.

If No, go to your boss.
 
Using mobile phones while driving annoys me more than plain bad driving. I tend to explode on people who reach for a mobile phone while driving. **** you. You and that phone call / text message / facebook alert are not as important as arriving at our intended destination.
 
If if he is, or at least you feel like he is putting your life at risk then say something. If you can't confront him personally then do it through your direct line manager.

I have a real dislike for people that drive dangerously! Particularly if I'm in the vehicle with them :(

If I have passengers then my aim is to get them where they are going safely... unless they specifically ask me otherwise :D
 
- Talk to him about it directly
- Failing the above, talk to his supervisors
- Failing the above, report to the police

In that order.

In all circumstances, if nothing resolves it, refuse to get in the vehicle with him.
 
Moses said:
Write a letter as a concerned member of the public.
Click to expand...

You could do this. Or perhaps just go for it and tell him his driving sucks. If he gets ****ed off and starts being a dick, talk to your manager and tell him/her how you're so concerned about the safety of yourself and others, as well as how worried you are that his manner of driving may be damaging the company image to members of the public and possible customers.
 
"Why is he braking???"
"Is there any need to be right up his ****?"

Make the comments and advise him while he drives. "Mate, can you back off a bit there please?"

If he doesn't comply and continues to drive like an idiot, report him for it and make it known to your manager(s) that you won't travel in a vehicle with him driving.
 
Is he Russian?

Also, depending on what type of van it is, the speed limit is different for non-car derived vans, you can only do 50mph where it's 60mph for cars and 60mph on dual-carriageways where cars can do 70mph, most van drivers are completely unaware of that.
 
I would be honest, just ask him as a colleague and possibly a friend?

He might back down, and he might not even realise he is being a **** driver...
 
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