Distracted food delivery staff prompt Victoria Police complaints

RIDESHARE food delivery drivers are becoming distracted while checking their mobile phone for directions, raising road safety concerns. And police have pinpointed Melbourne’s hotspot where roads are flooded with cyclists and small motor scooters.

A FOOD fight has erupted on Melbourne roads with rideshare delivery drivers’ antics prompting police complaints.

As couch-app food ordering continues to rise with the likes of Uber Eats, Foodora and Deliveroo, police say safety risks for drivers and riders are increased as they become distracted checking their mobile phone for directions.

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International riders and drivers not knowing the road laws, riding on footpaths, weaving through traffic and pedestrians, erratic driving while looking for the home are common issues linked to those working for the food delivery apps.

Some have even ridden their bikes into tunnels, which ban cyclists, as they follow the quickest GPS route.

Police have pinpointed inner Melbourne as the hotspot with roads flooded with cyclists and small motor scooters.

VicRoads has also held talks with one major rideshare company to discuss safety of their drivers on the road.

A food delivery rider travels along Lygon St in Carlton. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Police spokeswoman Sgt Julie-Anne Newman said anecdotally police were aware road users had expressed concerns about road safety issues about ride share drivers, riders and cyclists.

“Of particular concern is behaviour such as riding on footpaths, weaving through traffic and pedestrians and parking inappropriately,” she said.

“Whenever there is a mix of different sized vehicular traffic, increased pedestrian traffic and when cyclists or riders are relying on mobile phone applications to find their destinations road safety risks are increased.

“Anyone using our road system whether on an international licence or not is expected to drive and or ride within the road rules and regulations otherwise they will be prosecuted accordingly.”

A Foodora spokeswoman said the company had several policies to promote safe riding including updating riders with new road rules, safety updates, issued warnings in times of extreme weather and all contractors were screened for skills and condition before being hired.

A Deliveroo spokeswoman said the company spoke to police regularly and followed up the feedback with further training for riders where required.

“We absolutely expect our rider partners to follow the road rules of the area they operate within, and do not condone nor tolerate any behaviour that would put a member of the community in danger,” the spokeswoman said.

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