E-commerce now dominates the retail landscape. Many companies now make more sales online than in their brick-and-mortar establishments. Some of the largest retailers in the world don’t even have actual stores for consumers to visit.
Over the last 20 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of packages delivered in the United States due to e-commerce. That increase has translated to a rapid expansion of delivery fleets. Some companies have established their own delivery services, while others rely on the United States Postal Service (USPS), UPS, FedEx and similar organizations to deliver packages to customers.
While e-commerce is a convenient option for shoppers, it creates traffic hazards for everyone on the road. How do delivery drivers create collision risk?
Unpredictable traffic maneuvers
Delivery drivers frequently follow different routes every day. They may follow a relatively circuitous route, as many companies try to minimize left turns to reduce collision risk.
Particularly when delivery drivers are unfamiliar with a particular neighborhood, they may make last-minute maneuvers without using their turn signals. They could then end up colliding with others or causing secondary crashes as drivers try to avoid them.
Unsafe parking habits
Delivery drivers often only have a few seconds to make each delivery. They may not want to try to back out of a driveway into heavy traffic.
Frequently, they may leave their vehicles idling in lanes intended for driving or just off onto the shoulder of the road. Unsafe parking practices can increase the chances of a wreck. Other drivers may not be able to avoid a parked delivery vehicle without causing a collision — particularly if they park near curves or hills.
Driver distraction and fatigue
Delivery drivers typically follow a route provided by their employer’s navigation software. Therefore, they have to repeatedly glance at a device to ensure they follow the route appropriately. Many of them may eat or handle other tasks while driving between deliveries. Their distraction may increase their risk of causing a wreck.
Frequently, they may also work such long shifts that they are highly fatigued by the end of the day. Fatigue can compromise situational awareness and increase reaction times, which then contributes to increased collision risk.
When delivery drivers cause crashes, the people affected may have several options available for seeking compensation. Reviewing the circumstances of a delivery vehicle crash can help people explore insurance coverage and determine if they have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.