AFTER another busy day, there is nothing better than settling down with those you love for a little bit of quiet time.
We have a busy household with two grown kids, a dog and a seemingly endless stream of people trotting in and out of our lives. So that moment when bum finally hits sofa is one I treasure. Last night, my joy was short-lived.
It was 8.20pm and I was nicely settled watching a box set when the doorbell rang. Having begrudgingly hauled myself off the sofa, I discovered a parcel delivery guy. He asked if I would take a package for a neighbour, which of course I did.
I asked him if he had been busy and he said he had delivered 150 parcels during a 14-hour shift. It had been the same the previous day. This poor guy looked absolutely shattered. About 30 minutes later, my neighbour called to collect her parcel saying: “I don’t even remember what I ordered.”
It hit me like a lightning bolt – this poor man is giving up his life to deliver things that people do not immediately need and, what is worse, he is in no fit state to drive after having put in a 14-hour shift.
Sadly, he is not alone. Despite legislation preventing drivers doing more than 11 hours of duty, it appears that these rules are not being adhered to. I have come across a number of parcel delivery guys who routinely work ridiculous hours and they must pose a risk not only to themselves but other road users.
I cannot imagine driving for that length of time, day after day. Even an 11-hour driving day is way too much, in my humble opinion. When tired, our judgment and ability to react to situations is significantly diminished.
The next time you order something online for delivery, ask yourself this question: “Do I really need that for tomorrow?” The more we demand instant gratification, the more drivers will be expected to do. We all have a responsibility to keep our roads safe.
