Why delivery drivers in rural areas face increased safety risks
Delivery drivers working in rural Ohio may have expansive routes to travel between destinations. They may find themselves frequently driving on unfamiliar roads and may have to deliver several hundred packages each day to meet the standards enforced by their employers. Delivery drivers operating proprietary company delivery trucks often take for granted that they can safely reach each destination on their planned route.
However, if their deliveries take them to certain rural communities, they may encounter truly unsafe road conditions. Communities including Solon, Mentor, Eastlake, Medina, Wadsworth and Pepper Pike are small enough to have issues with poorly-maintained rural roads nearby. In fact, researchers have found the number of unsafe or poorly-maintained roads in Ohio has increased in recent years.
What makes country roads a hazard for delivery drivers?
Potholes and debris
Potholes can lead to tire blowouts and a sudden loss of traction. Delivery drivers could be at risk of going off the road or colliding with another vehicle either because they hit a pothole or because they swerve to avoid it.
Debris that might get picked up by street sweepers is more likely to sit unaddressed on rural roads. Crashes that leave behind pieces of vehicles, including glass, items falling off of truck beds and even pieces of broken pavement can affect a vehicle’s traction or the performance of its tires.
A lack of shoulder space
Another reason that rural roads can be somewhat dangerous is the lack of shoulder space or improper maintenance of the shoulder of the road. There may not be markers indicating the outer edge of the road, making it more likely for someone on a big truck to swerve off onto the shoulder or off the shoulder entirely.
If the shoulder crumbles or the gravel is loose, a driver could lose traction with serious consequences. Additionally, the lack of adequate shoulder space can lead to potential collisions when the driver has to leave their vehicle on the road to deliver a package.
Dangerous rural roads are simply one of many job hazards that delivery drivers in the Ohio area have to accept as part of their employment. If they end up involved in a crash or a single-vehicle incident, they may have significant injuries.
Delivery drivers involved in collisions frequently have the option of pursuing a workers’ compensation claim. Benefits can replace their wages if they are unable to work and can cover the costs of their medical care. Knowing about systems in place for the protection of those with work injuries can be very important for delivery drivers. Ultimately, those in higher-risk professions, including delivery drivers, need to be proactive about protecting themselves before and after getting hurt on the job.
