Australia Post has released data showing that a postie is injured by a third party on the roads at a rate of one a week.
In the past financial year, 65 posties sustained serious injuries as a result of third-party traffic accidents, including broken limbs, concussions and lacerations, with many resulting in hospital stays, time off work and psychological trauma. Across the country, New South Wales recorded the highest number of accidents involving posties.
Some of the most common third-party accidents involving posties included: drivers not looking when using, or speeding through traffic circles; failing to stop at a stop sign or give way sign; driving distracted by a mobile phone; and not leaving enough space to stop safely.
To help protect posties, Australia Post has implemented safety measures, including installing telematics (video and data) across thousands of its electric delivery vehicles (eDVs), motorcycles, vans and trucks. High-vis uniforms, intensive road safety training for all posties, and sensors and duress buttons on eDVs (which pinpoint the location of a Postie in an emergency) are also standard across the network.
Rod Maule, general manager of safety and well-being at Australia Post, said, “Even one vehicle-related incident is too many, with posties often sustaining injuries from being knocked off their vehicle or swerving off the road to avoid a more serious incident from occurring. While we want our team to deliver for all Australians, we also want each of them to safely get home to their families at the end of the day.
“Safety is our number one priority, which is why we’ve invested millions of dollars into advanced technology and training to keep our team safe on the road. But it isn’t just up to us – we are asking all drivers to be alert and keep an eye out for our posties, especially over the next few months as we ramp up deliveries in the lead-up to Christmas.”
Read more key staff/personnel updates from the parcel and postal technology industry, here.