Amazon has built its retail empire on fast, convenient delivery of products to customer’s doorsteps. As the company grows, it pushes for ever-faster delivery speeds to satisfy customer demand and stay ahead of the competition. This delivery rush has led Amazon to build extensive logistics operations across the country, including numerous fulfillment and delivery centers in Iowa.
While fast delivery delights customers, Amazon’s speed focus also raises concerns. The pressure to deliver quickly combined with high delivery volumes may impact road safety in communities.
Amazon’s Iowa Presence
Amazon has built an extensive logistics network across Iowa to enable rapid delivery. The company operates large fulfillment centers in Bondurant, Grimes, and Iowa City. These massive warehouses stock items close to customers for fast shipping.
Amazon also runs delivery stations in the state. Delivery stations are the last stop on the company’s distribution chain. Packages arrive from fulfillment centers and are loaded on vans for “last mile” delivery to homes.
To handle last mile deliveries, Amazon utilizes a fleet of branded delivery vans as well as contracting independent delivery companies. The company is rapidly growing its delivery network in the state to enable 1-day shipping for Prime members.
Pressuring Delivery Drivers
To meet customer expectations for fast delivery, Amazon pushes its delivery drivers to move quickly throughout their shift. However, this rush can impact driver attentiveness and safety.
Reports indicate delivery drivers for Amazon partners in Iowa often have high delivery loads. Drivers may be assigned a new delivery route each day covering 150-200 miles. They must deliver each package in a strict time window before moving to the next stop. Drivers are tracked by routing algorithms which monitor their progress.
This delivery pressure forces drivers to skip breaks, rush between stops, and drive aggressively to stay on schedule. Safety experts warn rushed drivers are more prone to distracted or fatigued driving, leading to wrecks. Tragically, this dangerous delivery rush has already led to driver injuries and deaths around the country.
More Trucks and Vans on Iowa Roads
Amazon’s delivery expansion across Iowa has put more delivery vans and semi-trucks on community roads. This increased traffic can create hazards:
- Congestion – High volumes of delivery vehicles worsen rush hour traffic and congestion near fulfillment centers. This congestion slows emergency response times. Residents report massive traffic jams clogging roads when Amazon shifts change.
- Parking violations – With tight delivery windows, drivers often illegally park on road shoulders, in fire lanes, or block traffic when loading. Illegal parking endangers pedestrians and passing motorists. Residents complain of delivery trucks parked on front lawns, blocking driveways, or in clearly marked no parking zones.
- Increased accident risk – Higher numbers of trucks and vans on the road make accidents more likely, especially if drivers are rushed. Truck blind spots also increase danger for passenger cars. Iowa traffic fatalities have risen in recent years as Amazon’s delivery network has expanded across the state.
- Road deterioration – Heavy semi-trucks headed to Amazon facilities damage local roads not designed for frequent truck traffic. Damaged roads are unsafe and expensive for communities to fix. Reports indicate Iowa towns spend millions patching crumbling roads near Amazon sites.
- Pollution – Diesel trucks and vans worsen air pollution. Iowa has battled smog near Amazon warehouses.
Hazards for Pedestrians
Amazon’s delivery rush also creates hazards for pedestrians. People face increased risk walking near company facilities or crossing paths with rushed delivery drivers:
- Pedestrians hit by a 40,000 pound semi-truck are far more likely to die than if hit by a car. Iowa roads near fulfillment centers see more semi-trucks, raising severe injury and death risk if pedestrians are hit. Fatalities have occurred near Amazon sites.
- Delivery drivers under time pressure make more dangerous maneuvers like sudden U-turns or speeding in neighborhoods. This raises the chance of striking and injuring pedestrians. Neighbors report instances of Amazon vans driving on sidewalks or through yards in a rush.
- Drivers parking illegally on sidewalks or crosswalks block pedestrian right-of-way, forcing them into dangerous roadways. This jeopardizes pedestrian safety. Disabled residents in wheelchairs particularly struggle to navigate blocked sidewalks.
Community Health Impact
Beyond direct safety hazards, Amazon’s delivery rush may indirectly harm community health in Iowa:
- Air pollution from diesel trucks can aggravate asthma and other respiratory illness, especially in children and the elderly. Iowa hospitals have reported more children’s asthma cases in areas with heavy Amazon traffic.
- Traffic noise from congestion and trucks raises stress hormones. Studies connect traffic noise to increased heart disease. Hospitals near fulfillment centers see higher rates of noise-related health issues.
- Damage to public amenities like roads, parks or sidewalks due to traffic and illegal parking reduces opportunities for healthy activities like walking, cycling, or children playing outside.
What Can Be Done?
Amazon delivery brings clear benefits to Iowa customers who enjoy fast, cheap shipping. However, Amazon’s delivery rush has clear downsides for community safety if left unchecked.
There are some steps which could improve safety amid the shipping speed boom:
- Reduce driver time pressures – Amazon should reduce delivery loads and allow ample time for safe driving.
- Improve driver training – Programs should better train delivery drivers on safe driving practices, parking rules, avoiding distraction and fatigue. Mandatory ride-alongs could help train drivers.
- Improve truck safety – Trucking companies serving Amazon need modern trucks with good visibility, collision avoidance and other safety tech.
- Commit to sustainability – Amazon should reduce emissions from delivery through use of electric vehicles. More fulfillment centers reduce miles driven.
- Fund community improvements – Amazon could fund projects like new turn lanes or pedestrian islands to ease congestion near its facilities.
By taking responsibility for the safety impact of its delivery rush, Amazon can be a better community partner in Iowa.
Contact Monge & Associates for a Free Case Review
If you have been injured in an Iowa accident and an Amazon delivery vehicle was involved, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Monge & Associates offer free case consultations. With 32 offices in 19 states, including Iowa, Florida, and Virginia, we have local lawyers ready to help get you the settlement you deserve. Reach out today at (888) 477-0597 to learn your legal options and medical rights. Let us ease your stress while you focus on recovery.