Think H.I.T.

Vehicle rollaway incidents involving Royal Mail vehicles are on the increase, potentially risking serious injury to both our drivers and members of the public. 

In 2017/18 there were 127 Royal Mail and Parcelforce rollaways. This year, there have already been a further 126 incidents.

All drivers need to be mindful of the controls required when parking vehicles to prevent such incidents. Drivers must also bear in mind that they could place themselves at risk of prosecution of a serious motoring offence and/or disciplinary action if they fail to comply with the controls in place.

This week’s RMtv programme features Parcelforce driver, Ian Markham, who was out on delivery when he was severely injured by his own rollaway vehicle.

Ian was delivering to a remote farm in Ceredigion in West Wales. His van was parked on a flat surface. After getting out of the vehicle and walking towards a customer’s gate, he turned around and was faced with his van rolling towards him.

‘Before I knew it I was on my back between the two front wheels of the van,’ said Ian. ‘I woke up in hospital 11 days later. I was put into a medically-induced coma. Because of the weight of the van, I had 11 broken ribs and a punctured lung.’

Play the video above to hear more.

Mark Bromhall, UKPIL road safety manager, said: ‘Everyone knows to apply the handbrake. But, what’s really important is that they always leave the vehicle in gear. Even on flat ground. It doesn’t take much to start a vehicle rolling, a slight incline, a pothole, even the camber of the road can be enough to start it. Leaving it in gear means your van isn’t going to go very far at all.’

What to do to prevent a rollaway?

• Brake using the footbrake and while continuing to hold the foot pedal down pull the handbrake ALL THE WAY up on the ratchet without pressing the release button on the lever
• Leave the vehicle in gear – use first gear if on level ground or facing uphill, and reverse if facing downhill
• Turn the wheels – turn the wheels away from the kerb when facing uphill, and towards the kerb if facing downhill. If there is no kerb, turn towards the point of least danger (usually the side of the road).

What NOT to do

• Do NOT press the handbrake lever release button when applying the brake – this can allow the brake to drop a click below the maximum application
• Do NOT stop the vehicle with the handbrake. The brake won’t be applied fully and such practices can heat up the braking system. When it cools, the brakes can contract and may release

Think H.I.T – Handbrake on, In gear, Turn wheels. It is Royal Mail Group policy to ALWAYS use these three controls. If you see your vehicle rolling away, NEVER try to physically stop it -  your safety is more important than any damage to your vehicle.