As more parcels need to be delivered, so too is the need for increased safety on the road, as rates of accidents involving posties skyrocket.
In an alarming report, Australia Post delivery workers have been, on average, injured five times a week by third-party traffic accidents.
In the 2024-25 financial year, 280 posties were involved in accidents as a result of a third party, leading to lacerations, concussions, broken limbs, and serious trauma.
Several of these incidents resulted in employees needing to take time off work, hospital treatment, and continue to deal with ongoing psychological trauma, the postal service said.
Australia Post General Manager of Safety Russell Munro said these troubling statistics underscore the need for safer conduct and increased vigilance on the shared road.
"Every day, our team members are out in communities delivering for Australians, but increasingly, they’re also being put at risk by unsafe driver behaviour," Munro said in a media statement.
This report follows Australia Post's recent deployment of its largest Mercedes-Benz eVito fleet, comprising 36 new electric vans in metro areas.
"We are taking comprehensive measures, such as reducing our motorcycle fleet, expanding the deployment of electric delivery vehicles (eDVs), and implementing upgraded telematics systems – including video and data monitoring across thousands of vehicles," Munro said.
"Our data shows that the severity of injury to a Postie when involved in a motor accident is reduced when operating an eDV. In some instances, our team have walked away from the accident with only minor injuries."
Australia Post has a vision for zero injuries for all 11,000+ vehicle drivers travelling over 350 million kilometres every year.
In light of the upcoming holidays and the growing e-commerce trend in Australia, Munro urged shared road users to be more responsible.
"Our priority is to deliver for all Australians whilst ensuring the safety of our team members, so they return home to their families safely each day. However, road safety is a shared responsibility, and we urge all drivers to keep an eye out for our Posties," Munro said.
Ilana is a Melbourne-based journalist who was previously a copywriter in the Big Apple. Having moved to Melbourne for her Master of Journalism, she has written articles about food, farm machinery, fashion, and now the fast and furious. Her dream car has been a Mini Cooper since the fifth grade, eyeing its style and petite size.
