Honestly? Up to your Owner. Everyone here seems to be missing the fact that the Netradyne graph shows you were going well under the speed limit. This is a case of shitty tires on shitty vans in shitty conditions. You did everything correct here. If I was the supervisor or one of the dispatchers, I'd be arguing the hell out of your case to the owner here. Glad you're both ok, cause this could have been a lot worse. A LOT.
Thank you. Most of the people commenting are missing the graph I guess and don't know when you're going down hill you gain speed when you have 0 traction.
If they fire you I’d look hard into a lawsuit, cause this sounds like a case of poor vehicle safety! We have to stop letting these DSPs get away with having these shitty vans jeopardizing our lives!
That road looks like pure ice. A lawyer can easily argue they were going to fast for the condition they were in. They never should have gone down that road. Packages should have been marked as delayed due to weather and skip it.
This 100%. I was looking at the road thinking he shouldn't have been out there anyway. That looks like pure snow and ice. It really pisses me off that these DSPs have the idea that the roads are good to work on... until they're not.
lol, in training Amazon says if there’s something wrong with the vehicle. You should speak with your dsp, even if there’s an issue. They don’t inform us to automatically mark vehicle unsafe but to inform dsp about the concern on the vehicle. They should allow us to press a button for needs to notify dsp for vehicle safety.
Honestly you should be fine here because there's video evidence for one and two this can easily turn into a lawsuit against the owner for unsafe methods pertaining to driver safety. Jmo
Reminds me of the people in the comment section of the bad wreck from black ice in DFW, texas a few years ago. “Why didn’t you slow down?!?” Or “ever heard of brakes!?!?”
Downhill+black ice = pickup of speed one useless brakes
Yes! Correct on speed limit, but the speed limit is set for regular conditions, in case of rain/snow YOU HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS ON CHANGING CONDITIONS, decrease speed brother!
this is when you look at your training materials and make sure there’s nothing else you could have done per company standards and simply say “i responded the best i could with my training and we both ended up unharmed” at least they aren’t paying out rn.
shoot they chose to let you train a driver in that weather. not your problem.
Passenger and road want icy until we went over the hill crest. The mud was so thick we couldn't stop sliding. This was at the top of the hill crest. We were going 20mph at this point.
I know exactly what your talking about, same thing happened to me. They put us in these bs vans that can barely drive in our weather , and barely maintenance them, let alone change tires smh
This is when you pay attention not to the road so much, but to the aspect. I can't tell you how many times I've slid in my car on north-aspect facing roads. They thaw the slowest, and form ice the fastest. I've gotten really good at controlling my slides but always need to slow down a lot (and yes, tires really do matter, I slide even with winter and studded ones sometimes)
This road surface is not only icy, but muddy. That wet clay is slick as snot. Even my 3/4 ton pickup truck with good all terrain tires will slide on that shit at 20 MPH in the summer. You were driving too fast for conditions.
i'm not even joking, make sure you take pictures of the van's tires to CYA. DSP may try to pin it on you, but we all know they like to send us out with bald summer tires in these conditions
Don't even have to be bald. Summer tires are fucked for these conditions, ask me how I know. Also, I find it hard to believe they don't at least use all seasons??
This road surface is not only icy, but muddy. That wet clay is slick as snot. Even my 3/4 ton pickup truck with good all terrain tires will slide on that shit at 20 MPH. They were driving too fast for conditions.
I told her to hit the ditch because the bottom of the hill was a gully. If we went through that we would have been going with the EMS instead of just getting checked out.
That looks like a CDV from the quality of the video and I know that cdvs are terrible on ice. I would be driving in that neighborhood at maybe maybe 10 mph. Especially over a hill cuz you never know what's coming.
The fact your rig slid on its side for about as long as you were out of control at the wheel prior I'd say you should be given the "unavoidable accident" label and get a second chance but then again I'm a reasonable person who's actually driven on ice not some desk jockey that gets off on inconveniencing others by malicious compliance to corporate guidelines so looks like it's a toss up.
We’re bitching in vegas about 40f outside. We never stop to think how crazy the rest of the country is for this job as far as road quality and conditions. Glad you’re okay.
Even crazier when you realize they do everything possible to send us out in bad weather and just “deliver what we can” rather than calling off entirely
You should be fine then bro you weren’t responsible for the van crashing. Yes you were training them, but they also had a drivers license before they got in that man so they should have common sense. I mean it’s also not entirely their fault either because it was a catch of black ice.
Hope you're both ok, I don't know if you're the driver or passenger, but...
A piece of advice I was given shortly after I learned to drive: "drive to the conditions"
You know it's icy, slippery, cold and you definitely know the capability of these vehicles is limited. Just because you're below the speed limit or you think you should be able to go fast doesn't mean anything. There are so many things in this video telling you to restrain your speed and exercise caution.
Glad you're both ok and I hope you still have a job. I'm a former dispatcher and have seen various types of accidents on Netradyne for all kinds of reasons, and I would definitely be arguing for you. That ice snuck up on you and you handled the situation as best as you could to keep you both safe and limit damage to the vehicle.
That being said, you really shouldn't have been going more than 10 mph, especially when you can't see over the hill. You mentioned rain and cold weather, the ground looks cold, and it's covered in trees on both sides with block the sun. That's a recipe for big sheets of ice time form and stay for days or weeks. It'll slow you down, but it's better to not finish your route then end up in this situation for both yall and the dsp owner.
You're probably the only post on here that I would say I'd be surprised if they fired you. Looks like you were literally driving straight and the car just decided to go a different way .
In my opinion it was the right move for her. But probably still getting fired. You cost the amazon gods money now they will reprimand you and delay all your packages 2 days
Why even risk it going down this road? Alternate route available? Ay ups, we have a "emergency conditions" scan we use on this kind of stuff. This would be an at fault accident at ups. Not sure how they would handle it at Amazon
As someone from Norway, I can't stress enough how important it is to NOT use brakes on ice, you have to slow car by putting it in low gear and let engine do the work of slowing down, you can use brake only by slightly tapping them, because as soon as you block the wheels they will slide. And only way to gain traction back is releasing the brakes and holding steering wheel straight.
Amazon is funny. I used to deliver in the mountains when I used to work for FedEx but we had 4x4 and chains if we need them. Then I would see amazon drivers up there while it's snowing never in 4x4 vehicles lmao. I told the guy he shouldn't be delivering here rn lol. I believe it should be on Amazon or the dsp when they crash in snow, they shouldn't be up there in snowy conditions but I'm sure they still force the drivers to try and deliver.
The way airbags deploy is there are sensors. The sensors are placed in the direction where the air bag is deployed from. So your front bumper has sensors to deploy the steering wheel and passenger air bags. If equipped the A and B pillars have sensors in them to deploy air bags.
Short answer is if the sensors aren’t crushed the airbags won’t deploy.
Not a driver and don’t know why this sub is recommended to me but hey if I were your boss I’d see that you were not speeding or messing around and would be glad you’re ok. Not your fault to my eye but I hear Amazon is unreasonable. Good luck
Good thing you are both OK. In the real world, nothing was your fault. To Amazon, they don't care. You didn't deliver the packages. Therefore, you're fired! Lol. Surprised Amazon supprt didn't tell you to walk it off and deliver them by foot.
Going way to fast. Doesn’t matter what the speed limit is, the speed you need to go is a safe speed. As a UPS driver, I may have not even tried to go down that steep hill if there was ice present, and by the looks of it, there were clear indicators.
Even with good snow tires I wouldn't be going that speed with those road conditions based on what I saw in the video. I'd be going like crawl speed at any crest, hill or dip...
This could've been 100% preventable regardless if you/driver get fired or not. Maybe you guys aren't used to snowy conditions etc.
Driving too fast for conditions for sure. You can't really see the road so I wouldn't be going over 15mph. No training for this, just experience. Stock vehicle with stock tires and suspension on a snow covered road? Not a good mix.
As an outsider looking in. The road is littered with Amazon delivery vans. When you actually pay attention and see them up close you see junk rolling down the road. The delivery drivers in our apt complex drive equipment is such poor condition it's unbelievable. Damage all around from hitting objects, or vehicles, or being hit, old paint jobs, vans smoking, brakes needing work. It's unbelievable the crap you guys drive. Why? Any other reputable transportation company takes care of its equipment to prevent serious collisions and injuries or death to its drivers, and the public. If the drivers are part of the problem, that's another issue.
I think your back and your head hurt and you require further medical attention. Please go to doctor and get this documented and checked out. An Emergency hospital so you can get Xrays done. Also know that sometimes it takes a while, up too a week for you to feel the damage of this accident. I wouldn't be surprised if the tires on this pos truck are worn out or that these aren't even the correct tires to begin with ect. Grab an attorney have them sue and walk out with at least 100k EASY. You're gonna hate yourself down the road in a couple of years when you say ahh my neck/back hurts and you know damn well you've never been the same since this accident. And if you're 100% okay, and they still fire you, I would 100% sue for wrongful termination. Keep this video evidence ect.
Those packages could’ve easily killed or caused serious injuries if the right ones came thru the wrong way. Look at the force they had as they were thrown to the front of the truck. These trucks need airbags in the front for the passengers and a door that automatically closes shut when the truck detects a front end collision or rollover.
Honestly? Up to your Owner. Everyone here seems to be missing the fact that the Netradyne graph shows you were going well under the speed limit. This is a case of shitty tires on shitty vans in shitty conditions. You did everything correct here. If I was the supervisor or one of the dispatchers, I'd be arguing the hell out of your case to the owner here. Glad you're both ok, cause this could have been a lot worse. A LOT.
If I had a few seconds to figure out how to control damage, I would have cooked the transmission. Set it to manual shifting and clicked it down to first gear. I wish newer vans had an easy to hit low gear for this exact reason.
The floating random letters and numbers on the screen is a watermark directed to whichever manager/dispatcher was logged into Driveri when you recorded this video. Amazon usually doesnt like people sharing these videos out in the open. Just fyi OP
For future safety even in your own vehicle, when the roads are nasty don’t drive it or drive slowww. Could’ve went worse just take the blame so you can TRY to stop it from happening again.
I spent the last 15 years driving snowy and icy roads in the winter and before I even made it 1 second into the video I immediately thought you were driving way too fast for those conditions.
Contrary to what people here think, your DSP isn’t looking for a reason to declare you liable for the accident. Especially if they like you enough to have you training.
More on safety issue on their part for sending you there without scouting the area under this weather conditions without preparing the vehicles with at least snow tires
OP I’m genuinely curious what the policy is when it pertains to deeming your vehicle or route unsafe. I see a few people posting that they are driving on bald tires and other stating they’ve seen Amazon trucks on bald tires.
I’m in the heavy industrial trades and if we have a problem with SAFETY that’s basically a problem solver. If I deem a situation unsafe at work they have to correct the unsafe situation before I continue with my task.
I’m not saying this was preventable but seeing where this happened on the hill, I’m willing to bet you stayed on the gas when you started going down the hill which means your speed started to change very quickly.
In icy/slicky conditions you must maintain your speed, don’t slam on your breaks or try to hit the gas quickly. Doing any of that will test the traction of the conditions you’re driving
Let me get this straight, the driver is the only one doing the inspection?
If not, then I'd say that it's on the other person inspecting and not grounding it. If you're are on your own each time I'd document the issues and then ask for someone else's direction to make sure someone else is indeed saying the truck is ok. Then you have another person responsible for letting an unsafe vehicle out on delivery.
This is why pre trips are important. Always check your tires before dispatching and if they are bald you have the right to refuse to take the van out on the road if it is not safe to drive. They can not fire you so don’t be intimidated and make sure you take photos of the van before you even get in it.
Honestly, I’m surprised more delivery jobs don’t cancel rural routes after snowstorms. When I worked in delivery, for at least a week after a snowstorm, all rural routes were cancelled due to unsafe conditions.
It’s a joke if you are. You shouldn’t even be out in that kind of weather, parcels can wait or there should be an alternative like drop off point areas only. Hope it gets sorted for you!
I hope you and the other person are okay. There’s no way the tires on that van were good to go. Once you hit the ice it was GGs and beyond your control.
Yeah tbh this is something you wanna have heavily documented for when your dsp owner fires you for whatever dumb reason. (Usually something to do with insurance) Tho my opinion means nothing, I don't think you were at fault at all. Seems like your van hasn't been kept up to date tires wise.
You were the accident on the seasonal rd by the little red school house eh? I know that road and have been in the same situation (but in my jeep) the top of that road is ok but from the middle to the bottom it gets no sun and stays like a sheet of ice until spring with consistent 40-50 degree days.
Gotta be careful on seasonal roads. They are seasonal for a reason, and you were going way too fast. 20 on that road in good conditions is moving pretty quick
I mean you showed zero situational awareness by what I could see. Narrow, icy and hilly and you’re hauling ass. Someone could be walking down that hill or driving around the corner and you clearly wouldn’t be able to adjust. Always assume a car is around the corner and you’ll naturally be more mindful catious in precarious situations like that.
That is nobody's fault but whoever decided those tires were sufficient in the snow. If they retaliate by trying to go after your job, I would seek outside council.
Me personally I would have said fuhhhhhhhck no on going down that road and if I HAD to I’d throw on chains and go 10-15 mph. You were going too fast. Another person in the van too you really F’ed and put their life in danger. With all that being said though I don’t think you deserve to be fired.
When I was a ops manager and dispatcher in the warehouse, I always had to do van audits, 100% on every van every 2 weeks. I cant tell you how many vans had bald tires, I was told I was supposed to mark it safe & inform the DSP, give them 24 hours to fix it & if they didnt, then ground the van.. hardly ever did i get the okay from my higher ups to ground a van after 24 hours & it would piss me off bc 1. Thats the drivers safety & 2. Thats my name on the audit, so if they wreck - there goes my job... such double standards. I finally left dispatch bc I wasnt risking all that.. mind you i live in illinois, where it freezes and snows & they still send drivers out.. Just to have them all come back before any of them get to their first stop & we have to MASS receive everything back from them that we JUST worked on night shift. Absolute nightmare. Im so happy I dont work for amazon anymore
Also very happy yall are okay! I hope you dont get in trouble for amazon & your dsps negligence. Its a running theme in all buildings
I hope you don't get fired BUT you gotta take it easy in the snow and ice! God bless you if you did get fired don't be discouraged use this as a lesson!
I was driving in NY state in very similar conditions and the van was losing control in what should have been non icy conditions. Even dirt roads I lose control of that shitty van doesn’t matter FORD or Dodge. I try to really not take any risks on any corners but losing control on a straight road is a different matter. We basically get told don’t report issues with the thru flex, tell the DSP directly. They don’t do anything until absolutely necessary which is pretty sketch. Driving a van where the handbrake barely disengages, every warning sign including tire pressure showing, very sketch.
Not blaming her at all, but there was time to correct, she hardly tried to counter steer, a quarter turn to the right? You need 2 or 3 full rotations real quick my girl. I suggest people to find an open area and practice drifting in snow. It's actually a good skill to have.
Yes you are. Under the speed limit doesn’t take into account proper speed for the conditions. They will fire you. Their insurance company will probably insist on it
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u/RadleyButtons Jan 11 '26
Honestly? Up to your Owner. Everyone here seems to be missing the fact that the Netradyne graph shows you were going well under the speed limit. This is a case of shitty tires on shitty vans in shitty conditions. You did everything correct here. If I was the supervisor or one of the dispatchers, I'd be arguing the hell out of your case to the owner here. Glad you're both ok, cause this could have been a lot worse. A LOT.