In Brief
The article recounts the incident of a GLS delivery driver whose Mercedes Sprinter began rolling unattended into a field after the parking brake was left off. The moment captured on video went viral, but it underscores the real dangers tied to this negligence, especially in terms of safety and potential professional consequences. Several similar incidents in different contexts show that forgetting the parking brake remains common and can lead to sometimes serious accidents. A reminder of basic safety steps remains essential to prevent this kind of misfortune for any van or heavy-duty truck driver.
A Mercedes van rolling away on its own, a delivery driver filming the scene live. At first glance, you might think it’s a prank. In the clip highlighted on social media, it all starts with an oversight as banal as it is dangerous: the parking brake was not set when leaving the vehicle.
The driver, who is on a GLS route, had just stepped out of his utility vehicle, a Mercedes Sprinter. The vehicle then begins to roll slowly, then pick up speed, with no one behind the wheel. Behind this almost surreal moment lies a sadly familiar scenario for anyone who has ever forgotten the truck’s parking brake on a slope or on uneven ground.
The Mercedes Sprinter GLS Drives Into a Field, the Driver Pulls Out His Phone
In the video, the most striking aspect remains the driver’s own reaction. Seeing his van slip away, he doesn’t attempt to run after it to climb back in, clearly convinced it’s already too late to prevent damage. He then pulls out his smartphone and starts filming the scene, while narrating what is happening.
In front of him, the Mercedes Sprinter leaves the parking area and heads straight into a field. The van ends its run against trees downslope. No one was injured, but the van sustained clear damage. The clip does not show how the vehicle was later recovered and hauled back onto the road. One can only surmise from the sounds that the delivery driver was no longer alone at the scene after the crash, suggesting a certain commotion around this multi-ton load that suddenly became uncontrollable.
A Parking Brake Slip-Up That Can Cost You—Especially for Professionals
While this story may evoke a chuckle behind a screen, it points to a real risk for drivers, particularly those in vans or heavy trucks. Other recent incidents echo this reality: in Paris, a construction truck slid toward the Canal Saint-Martin after its driver left the cab without properly securing it, drawing in specialized firefighters and raising concerns about a potential fuel spill. In Saint-Didier-en-Velay, a frozen-foods delivery driver was pulled along by his own truck on a slope, before the vehicle ended its run against a low wall, the driver sustaining minor injuries.
These cases share a common thread with the GLS van episode: a simple parking-brake oversight, sometimes combined with not engaging a gear or the “P” position on an automatic transmission. This is a reminder to rehearse basic steps that remain the best defense against such scares: firmly set the parking brake before releasing the foot brake, engage a gear or the “P” position as appropriate to the transmission, and not rely solely on electronic aids like Auto Hold. On the other hand, some labor-court rulings already cite forgetting the parking brake as a serious safety-rule violation that can weigh heavily in assessing a potential gross fault.
The Essentials to Remember
- A forgotten parking brake caused a Mercedes Sprinter to roll into a field.
- The incident was filmed and went viral on social media.
- The vehicle ended its run against trees, with no injuries.
- Similar incidents are noted, underscoring how common the problem is.
- Forgetting the parking brake exposes drivers to material, personal, and professional risks.
- Adhering to basic guidelines (parking brake, gear, and “P” position) remains essential to safety.
FAQ
What happened with the GLS delivery driver’s Mercedes Sprinter?
The driver forgot to set the parking brake, and the vehicle rolled away by itself into a field, ending its run against trees.
Did the driver try to recover his van?
No, he chose to film the scene with his smartphone, rather than chase after the vehicle.
Were there any injuries in the crash?
The article notes that no one was injured in the incident.
What are the risks of forgetting the parking brake?
Forgetting the parking brake can lead to property damage, injuries, and, for professionals, serious disciplinary consequences.
What precautions are recommended to prevent such accidents?
It is advised to firmly apply the parking brake, engage a gear or the “P” position, and not rely solely on electronic aids.
