I long ago stopped caring whether or not I got "charged" with an "accident". In the 22 years I have been here, UPS has never been able to come up with a coherent, consistent definition of what constitutes an "accident" in the first place....and whether or not I am "charged" with one is an entirely subjective decision made by a totally unaccountable person who has no concept of the job I do. Therefore, his/her opinion means nothing to me.
Sober, I kinda hafta disagree with some of this. Here it is: UPS DOES have what they think is a "coherent, consistent definition of what constitutes an 'accident' in the first place...".
I have in my possession (illegally, I presume) a copy of the manuel entitled, "How to Judge Auto Accidents Effectively". It is a three page policy manuel with criteria listed to charge or not charge a driver. One of the opening statements in the manuel is, "Basically, there is one question which should always be asked in determining avoidability: 'Did our driver take every reasonable precaution to avoid the accident?' ".
It goes on to list a series of questions to ask to see if our driver DID take every reasonable precaution-at intersections, pulling from parked position, hit others in rear (something that appeals to me but that's a different thread), we backed, we skidded, pedestrian, sideswipe, other hit us while we were stopped or parked.
I find it interesting in this manuel that the word "reasonable" is used quite frequently. In this case, where the man dashed under the feeder wheels, what would be the reasonable thing to expect if you were the driver? I saw a man get creamed under the loaded back tandems of a trailer IN TOWN! The driver must have been going 25 or less but the pedestrian just keeled over from the curb under the trailer. What's reasonable here?
If you are on an Interstate highway driving the speed limiit (ironically, HERE, they're saying you HAVE to drive the speed limit, which we've gone through countless times in the past but we have a new class in session again) and a deer jumps out from a ditch, what can they say is reasonable in this case? We are now having drivers get a warning letter for one (1) MPH over the limit if you hit a deer! What's reasonable?
I could go on and on about what's happened HERE. I do agree with you that we probably should get off this award thing. If the company sees no importance in that then, I guess, why should we? I, though, DO take pride in my PERSONAL driving record and want to keep that intact, irregardless of what the company does or thinks.