FACTS
- Rear-End Collision Risk: Frequent stopping, tight delivery windows, and urban congestion increase the chance of being struck from behind.
- Distracted Driving Exposure: GPS use, dispatch communication, and package scanning reduce visual and cognitive attention on the road.
- Fatigue & Long Shifts: Extended routes and peak-season demand reduce alertness, increasing reaction delays and crash likelihood.
- Liftgate & Ramp Hazards: Slippery ramps and moving liftgates create fall and crush risks during loading and unloading.
- Overexertion Injuries: Repeated lifting of parcels from floor level to shoulder height strains the back, shoulders, and wrists.
- Uneven Delivery Surfaces: Steps, curbs, gravel driveways, and icy walkways increase slip and trip risk during last-mile delivery.
STATS
- Transportation incidents are the leading cause of occupational fatalities in the United States, accounting for nearly 40% of worker deaths, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022).
- The U.S. recorded over 1,300 work-related roadway fatalities in 2022, many involving delivery and commercial drivers (BLS).
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that distracted driving contributed to 3,308 U.S. traffic fatalities in 2022.
- In Canada, transportation and warehousing remain among the top sectors for traumatic workplace fatalities, summarized by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
- In Canada, transportation/warehousing sectors (including delivery) had high lost-time claims, with slips/trips/falls representing 20-25% of injuries and MSDs/overexertion prominent (2020-2024).