A Day in the Life of a Safe Pizza Delivery Driver - Pizza Delivery Driver Safety Course and Test
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A Day in the Life of a Safe Pizza Delivery Driver
Pizza Delivery Driver Safety Course and Test
© 2007 by Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. All rights reserved.
A Day in the Life of a Safe Pizza Delivery Driver
Before heading off to work you make sure your car
is ready. You check all the lights, including
headlights, windshield wipers, brake lights and
turn signals to make sure they’re working properly.
You take a look at the tires. Do any of them seem
under inflated? No? Good! You know you have to
take care of these problems before you leave for
work, because later you either won’t have time or
won’t remember. And it’s important.
You check out the inside. Are the windshields and
windows clean? You know you can’t afford reduced
visibility. Although it’s supposed to rain and snow
© iStock International Inc. 2006 today, you want to keep in mind that on
sunny days, clean windows and clean windshields are just as important to prevent blinding glare.
Adjust your mirrors, and make sure those are clean, too.
You get your first set of delivery orders at the pizza shop. Two orders in the same part of town, and
you know the area. Good! You don’t have to look at the map.
If you’re unfamiliar with the area you have to look at the map first, because it’s not safe or
particularly smart to be trying to read a map while driving.
1
A Day in the Life of a Safe Pizza Delivery Driver
You load the pizzas, making sure they’re securely packed. You
fasten your seatbelt and look out your rear view mirror and side
mirrors before starting to back out. As you back up, look over
your left shoulder. Uh-oh! Some kids are playing and you see a
ball roll behind the car. Good that you checked. A lot of
accidents are caused by drivers backing before they’re sure the
path is clear. You wait until the way is clear and back out (while
looking back over your left shoulder). The last thing you need is
an accident.
Your friend Gary comes up to you when you’re backing out,
asking for a ride. You hate to do it, but you have to refuse. You
explain that you’re on the job, and not allowed to have riders in
the car. He understands and doesn’t want to jeopardize your job.
© iStock International Inc. 2006
The first order goes to a house with a large driveway. Do you
pull into the driveway, or park on the street and walk up the
driveway with the pizza? Better to park at the curb and walk
up the driveway, even though it’s a few more steps. This way
you don’t have to back the car up. Whenever you back up,
you increase the chance of an accident. And there’s always
the chance of a stray kid, pet or toy in your way when
backing up. It’s safer to park at the curb. © iStock International Inc. 2006
2
A Day in the Life of a Safe Pizza Delivery Driver
You get to the door, the customer opens it and
invites you to come in while she gets your
money. Uh-oh again. You remember you were
told to never enter the customer’s house. You
politely decline, “That’s okay, I’ll wait here at the
door.” You know nothing about the customer,
except that they like pizza. It’s obviously safer
not to go into the house
While waiting for the customer to come back
with the pizza money, you remember other tips
you’ve been given that’ll help keep you safe.
© iStock International Inc. 2006
If you hear a dog barking from inside the
customer’s house, or notice a dog near the door
as you approach, don’t just ring the bell and wait
for the customer to open the door. Dogs can be
unpredictable and sometimes dangerous and
dog bites are not something you want to
experience. Call the customer from your cell
phone in the car, and ask to have the dog
secured before you go any further.
© iStock International Inc. 2006
3
A Day in the Life of a Safe Pizza Delivery Driver
If you sense something is wrong at the residence, for
example, loud voices or noises inside the house, or
anything else that makes you feel that it may not be
safe to ring the bell, go to your car and call the man-
ager on duty, explain the situation and ask for advice.
If there are no lights on, call your shop before
attempting delivery and ask them to make sure that
the delivery is legitimate, the address is correct and
that the customer is home.
Never resist a robbery. It’s better to be robbed for
© iStock International Inc. 2006 pizza money than to wind up in the hospital or worse.
On to the next delivery. Oh, great, now it’s
starting to rain. People will be running for cover,
probably right in front of you. There’ll be rain on
your windshield, it’ll take longer to stop and
sometimes people seem to forget how to drive
in the rain. Best to put on the lights, slow down,
take extra care and get your windshield wipers
running.
© iStock International Inc. 2006
4
A Day in the Life of a Safe Pizza Delivery Driver
Let’s take a moment to talk about the time it takes
to stop your vehicle. The faster you drive, the
longer it takes to stop. Wet, icy or slick roads
increase the braking time. Your perception and
reaction time is impaired if you are distracted or
fatigued. The longer it takes to stop, the more
distance you should leave between your car and
the one ahead of you.
The best way to make sure you have enough
stopping distance between you and the vehicle
ahead is the “3 Second Rule.” You identify an
object straight ahead such as an overpass or
sign. When the vehicle in front of you passes
the object, count to three: "One - one
thousand, two - one thousand, three - one
thousand.” If you finish counting to three seconds before you pass the object, you’re doing okay,.
otherwise slow down. For bad weather make that 4 seconds or more. Whatever you do, never
tailgate under any circumstances-this can lead to rear-end collisions
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A Day in the Life of a Safe Pizza Delivery Driver
Back in the car with one delivery left on this run. You know where you’re
headed, and check the address before you take off. While you’re driving,
you decide some music would be nice. The supervisor said listening to
music on low volume was okay. Now where is that new CD you just
bought? Problem. You left it in the back seat. Too late to grab it now that
you’re in motion.
It’s not safe, so you’ll make do with the radio until your next delivery .
Then, a few miles away from the delivery your cell phone rings. What
next? Oh, well, let it go to voicemail–one of the company rules is no
cell phones while driving. It can wait.
Delivery address number two is coming up. You see a car in
the oncoming lane slowing, but he doesn’t have a turn signal
on. Best to play it safe. Using your turn signal before turning
seems like a lost art with some people. Just keep going and
this guy could just hang a left turn in front of you with no
warning.
And then he does. Good thinking on your part. Never assume
that other drivers are going to do the smart thing. In fact, it
makes a lot more sense to assume the opposite.
That’s called defensive driving. You have to anticipate the
unsafe acts of other drivers who ignore signals, drive too
fast, or coast through stop signs while on their cell phones. © iStock International Inc. 2006
6
A Day in the Life of a Safe Pizza Delivery Driver
The delivery goes smoothly and you head back to the
pizza shop. As you drive through the neighborhood, you
notice the speed limit is 30. You look at your speed-
ometer and you’re going 45! Whoops, time to ease up
on the lead foot. You ease down to 30. A ticket or
accident will definitely not make your day and would
cause a major problem at work.
It’s dusk and rain is turning to snow. Visibility is bad. Even
without precipitation, it’s difficult to see pedestrians at
© iStock International Inc. 2006 dusk, especially if they’re wearing dark colors. You’re
anxious to get back to the shop so you can head out with
another order, but it’s best to slow down and drive extra carefully in these conditions. This takes patience
on your part.
One of the hazards while driving in rain, snow and
ice is reduced traction. You remember that you need
to accelerate slowly and ease up on the accelerator if
the wheels start to spin. Most skids can be avoided
by adjusting driving speed and keeping alert. A
general rule to follow: “Turn into the skid, and gently
accelerate.”
© iStock International Inc. 2006
7
A Day in the Life of a Safe Pizza Delivery Driver
You approach the intersection at Main and Church. You
were told that a lot of accidents happen at intersections
and it makes sense. There are 2-way stops, 4-way stops,
an infinite variety of traffic signals, pedestrians crossing,
drivers trying to beat a stoplight, all kinds of things that
people can do wrong. If you’re not anticipating it, someone
else’s carelessness can cost you. You slow down, and
scan the area carefully.
© iStock International Inc. 2006
A little further up you notice a double-parked truck
blocking your lane. Figures!
You could swerve around it, but what if someone is
coming the other way? That could be pretty ugly. Just
slow to a stop and ease out when there is a large gap in
the oncoming traffic, being sure to signal so those behind
you know what you’re doing.
© iStock International Inc. 2006
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A Day in the Life of a Safe Pizza Delivery Driver
Finally, pulling back into the pizza lot on your first
day, you feel good. You used your head while out
on the road, avoided any problems, and returned
safely with a couple of decent tips to show for it.
You did well!
© iStock International Inc. 2006
9A Day in the Life of a Safe Pizza Delivery Driver
Pizza Delivery Driver Rules for your Safety and the Safety of Others:
• No use of cell phones while driving is permitted.
• No alcohol, firearms or illegal drugs are allowed in the vehicle, including the trunk.
• Absolutely no driving under the influence of alcohol, or drugs is permitted.
• No passengers are allowed in the vehicle.
• No reading maps while driving is allowed.
• Do not enter the customer's home under any circumstances.
• Any lapse in your automobile insurance must be reported to your manager
immediately.
Your employer may have additional guidelines and rules.
This training course and its materials are intended solely for the use of Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, its customers and agents
and solely for educational purposes. Use by any other person or persons is strictly prohibited. Pizza Safety Services was not
responsible or involved in the development of this training course. 10You can also read
