Black Friday and Cyber Monday are still a few weeks away – but a lot of people have already begun their online holiday shopping. Experts say that roughly 57% of consumers start shopping before November even hits.
All those online orders add up to one thing: A host of delivery drivers will rapidly be making their way down both urban and residential streets. While that may not sound like much of a problem, it can lead to disastrous accidents and life-altering injuries for many.
Delivery drivers are overworked, and that leads to accidents
There have been numerous news articles and investigative reports that talk about the demands being placed on delivery drivers. While most of those have focused on Amazon, every major delivery service – from FedEx to the USPS – tends to feel the heat during the holiday rush.
The reality is that there are numerous factors that make an accident with a delivery driver much more likely during this time of year. They include:
- Fatigue: Delivery drivers often work 14-hour days, with few or no breaks. That leads to a mind-body exhaustion that can make even the most dedicated driver fall asleep at the wheel or make careless mistakes on the road.
- Frustration: A lot of delivery drivers are constantly being pushed to comply with increasingly strict demands from customers and bosses alike. That can translate into road rage when the pressure builds up.
- Dark roads: Because of the change in seasons, delivery drivers may start and end their shift in the dark. It’s much harder to spot pedestrians at this time of the year, especially in residential areas where streetlights might not be as prevalent.
- Distractions: Delivery drivers have to make use of GPS technology to get where they’re going, but that means keeping at least one ear on the sound and one eye on the machine – and that’s a distraction behind the wheel. So, too, are contacts from headquarters checking on deliveries.
If you’ve been injured in a wreck with a delivery driver, find out what it takes to get fair compensation for your losses. Holding delivery companies accountable for their actions is the only way to change things.