The holiday shopping season is in full swing. That means drivers need to be extra careful out there on the roads.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there’s a spike in trucking accidents every year around the holiday season. It doesn’t take a whole lot of insight to realize that the rise in online shopping coupled with the seasonal rush takes a toll on delivery drivers – many of whom are overworked contractors for smaller delivery companies.
What contributes to the problem?
Online shopping is a regular occurrence throughout the year, but the holiday season tends to kick everything into high gear. Some of the factors that increase the risk of an accident with a delivery truck include:
- Increased traffic volume: Not only are there more delivery trucks on the road, but there are simply more vehicles on the road. Holiday shoppers and travelers are trying to get to their destinations, and that can make traffic volume unpredictable.
- Limited visibility due to less daylight: There are fewer daylight hours at this time of the year, and the limited visibility can make it even harder for delivery trucks to see smaller cars. All trucks have significant “blind spots,” and delivery vans are making frequent stops and turns – both of which contribute to the problems.
- Uncertain routes: During the rest of the year, many delivery drivers have fairly regular routes. During the holiday season, drivers may be pulled into service in areas they’re not used to driving, which can lead to distractions as they rely on their GPS devices and hunt for house numbers.
What’s the major thing to take away from all this information? You need to be particularly cautious when you’re pulling in and out of your driveway this time of year – or even just walking the dog on your street. Delivery trucks can bring a lot of good things, but they can also bring disaster.
If you are in an accident with a delivery vehicle this holiday season, make sure that you find out what it takes to protect your right to fair compensation for your injuries and losses.