Hi all,
Well,it has been 2 weeks now since I started driving and earlier this week I got into what UPS deems an "avoidable" accident.We had 8 inches of snow that day.I had 7 stops left in this neighborhood after a very grueling day.I needed to turn the truck around to continue so I turned into a school parking lot that was completely empty due to the winter storm.I felt that it was the safest way to go about it.So I drive into the lot and with 8 inches of snow on the ground it looks like just one big even paved surface.Seeing previous tire tracks already in the snow doing exactly what I have in mind,I begin to follow those tracks,simply making a uturn to my left.Well,I get halfway into the turn and begin to start spinning out.I realize that I could be getting stuck,so I started trying to rock the truck back and forth between reverse and drive.After about 10 minutes of this I accept the fact that I am stuck.I get out of the truck and look down by my back tires only to find that I am in the grass! I couldn't believe it.
Anyway,I call the center and tell my sup about the situation.She tells me to hang tight and help is on the way.My center manager shows up and gets out of his car to assess the situation.Now this is his first day at our center because to everyones surprise,all but 1 of the sups were gone and replaced the previous day.So we basically have all new management overnight! So he approaches my truck and says"Dude...you're. In the grass.This is property damage! " I guess the ruts from my tires are considered property damage.
Long story short,I was charged with an avoidable accident but I did not lose my driving priveledges.I am grateful to still have my job,but on the same note it sucks to already have an accident on my file,especially over something so small in such extreme conditions.The certified letter came in the mail today that basically made it official.Now I get to sweat it for a year and do my best to avoid another incident.According to our contract,3 "at fault" accidents within a 1 year period is grounds for termination.
I attached a photo of the accident scene.
Well,it has been 2 weeks now since I started driving and earlier this week I got into what UPS deems an "avoidable" accident.We had 8 inches of snow that day.I had 7 stops left in this neighborhood after a very grueling day.I needed to turn the truck around to continue so I turned into a school parking lot that was completely empty due to the winter storm.I felt that it was the safest way to go about it.So I drive into the lot and with 8 inches of snow on the ground it looks like just one big even paved surface.Seeing previous tire tracks already in the snow doing exactly what I have in mind,I begin to follow those tracks,simply making a uturn to my left.Well,I get halfway into the turn and begin to start spinning out.I realize that I could be getting stuck,so I started trying to rock the truck back and forth between reverse and drive.After about 10 minutes of this I accept the fact that I am stuck.I get out of the truck and look down by my back tires only to find that I am in the grass! I couldn't believe it.
Anyway,I call the center and tell my sup about the situation.She tells me to hang tight and help is on the way.My center manager shows up and gets out of his car to assess the situation.Now this is his first day at our center because to everyones surprise,all but 1 of the sups were gone and replaced the previous day.So we basically have all new management overnight! So he approaches my truck and says"Dude...you're. In the grass.This is property damage! " I guess the ruts from my tires are considered property damage.
Long story short,I was charged with an avoidable accident but I did not lose my driving priveledges.I am grateful to still have my job,but on the same note it sucks to already have an accident on my file,especially over something so small in such extreme conditions.The certified letter came in the mail today that basically made it official.Now I get to sweat it for a year and do my best to avoid another incident.According to our contract,3 "at fault" accidents within a 1 year period is grounds for termination.
I attached a photo of the accident scene.
GRASSS...
