Drivers urged to take care as Australian posties seriously injured at alarming rate
More than one Australian postie every week is being seriously injured while delivering mail to homes and businesses across the country.
Eighty-six delivery drivers and riders have been hurt in third-party traffic accidents while on the job in the past year, a troubling increase of 30 per cent compared to the year before.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Soaring number of injured posties prompts safety warning.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Posties have suffered broken limbs, concussions and lacerations, with many needing care in hospital and time off work to recover.
The most common type of accidents are collisions involving drivers not looking or speeding through roundabouts.
Motorists failing to brake at stop signs and being distracted by mobile phones have also been blamed for incidents where posties have been crashed into or forced off the road.
The figures have prompted calls for motorists to be mindful of delivery drivers who are in hi-viz but can be “easily” missed since they often travel in smaller electric vehicles and on motorbikes.
“Too many posties are sustaining injuries from being knocked off their vehicle or swerving off the road to avoid more serious incidents from occurring,” Australia Post’s general manager of safety Rod Maule said.
Stewart Murdoch is a 35-year veteran of Australia Post who was injured in a life-changing accident in 2021.
Murdoch said he “flew through the air” when he was hit by another vehicle.
He suffered extensive injuries to his leg, hand and lungs and spent four days in intensive care and several weeks on the trauma ward.
“Have a second look and check who’s around you. It may save a life or (stop) a serious injury,” Murdoch said.
Australia Post has installed telematics systems that record video and other data across most of its fleet of electric delivery vehicles, motorcycles, vans and trucks.
It has also urged the government to allow it to fit flashing lights on its fleet of three-wheeled vehicles and motorcycles to improve visibility.
“If they’re working to protect the nation’s garbos and street sweepers, flashing lights are worth trialling for our posties,” Maule said.
Originally published on 7NEWS
