Colleagues complaining I'm too slow

[Stuffedandbloated35]

In driving- I'm not, I'm just actually doing the speed limit. We're in a community-based role where we have clients who need two carers and we all have to drive as part of the role.
I've only been driving a few months but I seem to be one of the few who actually does 20 in a 20 (I know the speedometers and sat navs are probably slightly off) and I'm definitely not doing below the limit, I'm doing 30 in 30s and so on.

But I've been in the car with these colleagues e.g. when i was shadowing, and most of them go a few miles over the limit so it looks like I'm slow in comparison. We meet at people's houses and they're always there before me, also because I'm new I have to find the address on my sat nav, I don't yet know the way by heart.

I've had one member of staff ask me if I can go a bit quicker, and often now carers go into the call before I'm there, so it makes me look late even if I'm not. I'm not getting lost or going the wrong way, I must only be a min or two slower at most and sometimes we do arrive at the same time.

It's stressful but I'm not willing to risk points over it, not sure what to do?

You should follow the legal speed limits for type of road and conditions, but do use say nav or Google maps if your car is old, as modern technology is more accurate.. ask your employer to provide you with a sat vav device if necessary and to show you how to program journeys quickly , if necessary.

Are you able to gather some data plotting your journeys using Google maps ' directions' tool to work out average journey times at different times of the day.times of the day as Google usually predicts times based on speed limits and traffic conditions . . Perhaps your rota doesn't allow enough time, and others are speeding to get to destination on time. You definitely should not be expected to routinely break speed limits

I have read that it's common for carers rotas not to include enough time to get to destination so be mindful that it might not be you being slow, it might be the rota times has been planned unreasonably.. are you able to speak with the person who plans the rotas.?

Speed limits are not a target, they're a limit to those posters saying just follow the sat nav speed if it's higher... OP drive how you feel comfortable and within the conditions of the road and the law. If colleagues are upset by this it's a them problem.

They’re speeding. There’s no way they aren’t. I used to work in an office block with a carers company next to us and they all said they’d not make their appointments if they didn’t break the speed limit ‘now and again’ but they were all always flying in and out

You should follow your car speedo, but also make sure it is correct. Logically it is better to be 2 miles under the speed limit than 2 miles over if you want to avoid any penalties.

Your issue is you need to more assertive with colleagues. Tell them 'I'm not risking points, if you want to that's up to you.' If you are on time, you have no apology to make.

You can also mention to your manager if they are not following protocol in terms of starting before you.

They are being dickheads. Good drivers don't drive over the speed limit. It doesn't make much difference on shorter journeys in built up areas anyway. As soon as you get to a light or have to wait at a turning or roundabout it evens out.

I have a car tgat beeps too. Replaced it recently. Love having the sat nav, but i find it a nuisance. However, if it stops md getting a ticket then that's fine by me. I know what u mean about people beginning before u arrive- makes u look late. If anyone complains re speed, just cite the limit. They probably don't give u enough time between calls. Undervalued job.

Driving aside, please don’t cut visits short. My mum has carers and im
documenting the actual time they are they are there and mum is refusing to pay for the full half hour when they are there less time. 2 minutes was the biggest piss take so far but there’s been a few 3 minute calls. In average they are only there half the time they are being paid to be.
I’m echoing pp who s addict document that you arrived at x time and your colleague was already there. I’d also say what task the colleague is doing when you arrive. Accurate documentation is essential. I’m a retired nurse who had the fear of the coroner put into us. We were taught that if we were ever called to coroners court we needed to be able to defend our actions and to do that we needed iron-clad documentation. Unlikely you’d need to do this but it’s good practice to document things thoroughly.

So what other crimes do they want you to commit, or is it just this one?

If they continue, point out that it for you is harassment. Hopefully that is enough, but if they don't take the hint, you might have to make a formal complaint.

I hate this. On a speed awareness course, the guy said that if you're tailgated, make sure you leave plenty of space in front of you. (Presumably so that if you are rear ended, you at least have reduced the risk of injury from hitting a car ahead of you). Since then I've found it far less stressful to be tailgated - I always move aside if I can safely do so (no always possible) but if not, then I find it just makes me feel less victimised and a bit calmer knowing that something is in my control even if I'd prefer the driver behind me backed off a bit.

Edit: meant to quote the poster who talked about being tailgated!

I think if it's everyone ( not just one colleague) than maybe you might be the issue. I doubt that they are all speed demons?

Just say you have a black box so can’t speed.

I think you need to stick up for yourself and be a little more assertive. “You are too slow” - “I am not slow, I follow the speed limit and arrive on time / as quickly as is safe from my previous appointment”. Otherwise ignore them.

Do that near me and you’ll soon rack up a few tickets! Next time ask them if they are prepared to pay any tickets you might get.