Each day, thousands of deliverymen across the country cope with life-threatening work-related risks. The pressures of the job are constant: dangerous encounters with motorists and long hours in return for wages and occasional tips. Then there is the weather – with summer almost upon us, more people are choosing to order in their meals and groceries rather than venture outside.
Restaurants and neighbourhood baqalas know that delivering orders quickly is a good way to expand business. Even though some restaurants and shops don’t set strict time limits for deliveries, these men know that they have to be quick. This pressure – and the fear of getting scolded by their employers – can make them literally zigzag through traffic, risking their lives and those of others.
Unfortunately, deliverymen have few defenders or advocates for their well-being. The pizza delivery company Freedom Pizza is one of those few. As The National reported yesterday, the company has launched a Safety Delivered initiative, to protect motorcycle delivery riders.
Each of the company’s 125 drivers has been asked to sign a pledge to drive safely. They also wear helmets with pictures of their family members with phrases such as “I am a son” and “I am a father”. The intention behind this move is to remind them of who they live for.
This is an important step, considering the statistics. Out of more than 1,500 road accidents recorded last year in Dubai, motorbikes were found to be at fault on around 10 per cent of occasions.
Although there is no way to determine the number of offences committed by delivery drivers, there are reasons for other businesses to follow this simple policy. But that alone is not enough. It needs to be the obligation of every individual to be mindful of the dangers and consequences involved for delivery drivers. Public awareness campaigns on this issue can help reduce the suffering of these people. Just as we want our food delivered safely, we should wish a safe journey on those who make the delivery.
