Distribution drivers - the modern day Santa Clauses?

Working for Low Cost Vans it’s no surprise that I feel a certain affinity for van drivers on the road; even if I am passing them in my convertible. But at this time of year if I see a big distribution van going past, I am even more interested in where they’re going and what they’ve been up to that day.

Around 260 million parcels were delivered around November and December last year as Christmas shoppers decided to leave their own four wheels at home and shop from their armchair.

It’s high demand and it’s not so much the vans I’m worried about, it’s the drivers. Earlier this year a BBC reporter went uncover as a driver at Amazon where he was told that drivers are expected to deliver up to 200 parcels a day. Not only was the workload intense, the reporter said he received the equivalent of £4.76 a month during his second week there - nowhere near the minimum wage.

Of course this doesn’t mean that all drivers for distribution companies are facing bad conditions, but the change in the way we shop does have its impact on the industry, particularly at this time of year. According to an article in Commercial Fleet, DHL increases its delivery fleet by 27% and its full time drivers by 10% during peak season. While the Royal Mail increases its fleet by 11% and driver numbers by 33%.

The challenge for distribution companies is ensuring that all their drivers – both permanent and agency – are working under the same, good conditions. It’s crucial that they all know that drivers are able to become familiar with the vehicles that they’re driving and their health and safety is a priority. Getting a parcel delivered by the promised time is important but not as much as ensuring that drivers get proper pay and breaks.

So I’d like to take this opportunity to say thanks to all those drivers out there who you could say are the modern day Santa Claus!