Joe Bikerider

Just now while waiting for a break in traffic I observed a white car labelled Progressive blow right through a stop sign. I had thought that having a huge sign would make the company’s drivers be a little more careful. At least they told me that when I checked out a University of California car some years ago.

So when I got to a place where I could sit down I called Progressive. After navigating their menus for a while I actually got to a real person. I explained the situation and was asked “What do you want?”

I told her that this was a safety issue that he company had created and I was mad. That got nowhere so I hung up and am now posting here.

The car was traveling North on Buena Vista ave crossing First ave. Walnut Creek California.

Enjoy

RCMoeur 

I drove marked vehicles for the State of Arizona for over 30 years, most of them with emergency lighting systems. I recall a supervisor early in my career stating that our taxpaying clients don't like to see vehicular misbehavior, and that it's a trivial task to link a vehicle number or plate to a specific office or employee and we all have better things to do than deal with the fun folks at the Inspector General's office. In addition, we were advised (as I advised my staff) that any use of the vehicle or lighting systems in a manner that could reasonably be interpreted as being that purely of a law enforcement officer could result in felony charges; e.g. OK to use the lights to warn, but not to detain or intimidate.

From what I've seen with private entities, I think it mostly has to do with their culture and perceived exposure to litigation or public shaming. For example, calling in a small business vehicle might get a laugh before a hang-up or a "you deserved it" reply - or a sincere apology. Larger ones might vary, but I have noticed in general the larger the organization, the harder they make it to contact any human - you get AI chat, pre-recorded phone tree to nowhere, or an e-form that in all likelihood is only faithfully read by Mr. Dev Null.

Daniel4

Progressive, that's the insurance company, right? How ironic.

Good for you in contacting them. But I would go one step further. If you have photos or all the identifying numbers and details, contact the CEO or somebody with real PR responsibility.

I have contacted many companies. Couriers like DHL and Fedex respond back acknowledging the issue. I don't really care if others don't respond back but if they do get lots and lots of complaints about their drivers, somebody in their company ought to take notice.

I-Like-To-Bike

What do you want?

Troul 

probably had PLPD coverage.

Joe Bikerider

I rode through a red light at Oak Park Blvd and Buskirk just to even things out.

I-Like-To-Bike

And had the benefit of getting you to your destination that much sooner.
Probably as useful to safety or advocacy as notifying CEOs of companies complaining that a driver of a vehicle with the company logo allegedly committed a traffic violation that had no collision, injury or damage involved and no law enforcement involvement.

livedarklions

You might consider getting one of these:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dict...e%20of%20humor

Bald Paul

The Progressive car was just travelling with the "Flo" of traffic.

jon c. 

That's funny. I encountered a driver in a Progressive car making a chucklehead move in traffic a couple days ago as well. Memorable for the irony.

rumrunn6

lost count of how many cops I see looking at their phones, as they drive by me, going the other way. what am I gonna do? complain?

livedarklions

My guess is the adjusters have a quota and so they're always in a hurry. Definitely ironic if the insurance company set up their incentives in that way

I-Like-To-Bike

How exactly and to whom do you "report drivers like that"? What is the result of your "reports"?

CliffordK

I used to see trucks with a big sign on the back "How am I driving... Call... (555) 555-5555"

I haven't seen that very frequently lately. Perhaps truck drivers got tired of the notes.

Many fleet owners have trackers on all their vehicles. So if you have a time and place, they should be able to identify the driver.

I think Progressive had an OBDII tracker that they were giving some clients. So far they haven't offered one to me. However, ideally it would have location and speed data for each vehicle. And, thus one could check for blowing stop signs. I would hope they would also install one of those in their fleet vehicles.

FBinNY 

Many branded vehicles sport signs "report bad driving to .......". These are companies who care. It might simply be about image, or real concern about safety and an effort to weed out bad drivers.

OTOH we need to keep in mind that many companies pay to "wrap" cars using them as rolling billboards. These are usually contracted through 3rd part brokers, and the advertised firm has no control over the driver

Many companies, especially those who know where their vehicles are AR any time, and who's driving are very diligent. They may not seem to respond with particulars, but.do use statistical QC methodology to identify and sanction drivers with a pattern of poor driving.

jon c. 

Had an instance where I was bit steamed at a young kid in a contractor's truck and trailer that tried to pass between two groups of cyclists on a narrow road approaching the top of a hill. Wouldn't have bothered myself but when I told my wife the story she called the company. The guy initially said it wasn't one of his trucks. Was surprised when he called back ten minutes later and said he had found out it was his truck and he would have a few words with the driver. Good marketing.

livedarklions

I'm impressed that he would actually check after his initial denial and then go out of his way to admit he had been wrong.

I'm guessing that means the kid was driving the truck somewhere other than where he was supposed to be.