Grumpy @@@ Man

[Alan M]

As I now have a bit more time, whenever I can, I will complain about things that annoy me whereas previously I would vent my annoyance at those around me. I am in denial about which course of action is the most satisfying but here is my latest complaint which some of you may find interesting? - You need to look at the second letter first.

Dear Alan,

First of all on behalf of our company i would like to apologize for the
drivers behaviour and would like to thank you for your reaction. We as Vos
Logistics have driver behaviour very high in our priority list, we train
them on defensive driving and evaluate their driving twice a year, because
drivers are our visit cards on the road.

However, with 3500 trucks on the road we can not control driver behaviour
on the road in practise all the time. Therefor reactions like yours are
essential to pinpoint drivers who misbehave on route. This is the only way
to improve our quality on drivers by taking out the "bad apples". We work
like it is in football, we call the driver into the office, ask his site
of the story and if he hasn't got a very good explanation he receives a
yellow card. And twice yellow is red and he's gone.

I will send your complaint to the involved business unit and they will
have a nice Eastern conversation with this driver.

Again sorry for the inconvenience and hope you still have a nice Eastern.

With kind regards,

Elwin van Rosmalen

> Dear Vos Logistics
>
> I am writing to complain about the behaviour of one of your drivers. I was cycling South on the A23 near Coulsdon, South London on Tuesday 11th April at about 9.30 am local time and a driver in a VOS truck and trailer drove dangerously close to me nearly forcing me into the kerb. As he passed, I did no more than shake my head in disbelief at such recklessness and I clearly saw him in the nearside mirror gesticulating in a very rude way. I am very disappointed by this behaviour, particularly from a Netherlands based organisation where I know that cycling is more an accepted form of transport than here in the UK. The registration of the truck was DD 99 XR I do hope that the driver will be disciplined for this unwarranted behaviour and that I will receive a written explanation.

> Yours sincerely
>
> Alan Malarkey

[Jim B]

Good for you Alan.
A sensibly worded letter like that is worth a hundred times the swearing and gesticulating I would have probably done.
Jim

[Ian A4size]

I guess men of a certain age who have retired have a lot of time on their hands- Joannas dad is in the same boat , he complains all the time and follows complaints up - i just dont got the time- sometimes i am sure companies have a bog standard reply letter which they send off hoping to pacify you.

[BrendanM]

Hi Alan

Have you ever reported bad driving to the police?

And did they do anything useful?

[Alan M]

Brendan - I think reporting to the police relies on witnesses - if it is your word against theirs then the police won't bother to prosecute but they may visit the driver to take a statement and log the complaint for future reference. Gavin's report today of being physically hit by someone in a ford escort would probabluy be followed up to some extent if you can get and remember the registration number - if it isn't it may be worth taking legal advice from CTC or your insurers.


..... and Ian, as I'm sure you you will find out men of a certain age don't have just a lot of "time on their hands" they use the time they have in different ways and define their life in alternative ways to paid work - and possibly no bad thing!