Drivers delivering for Amazon are tasked with transporting a plethora of packages every year, just a fraction of the billions of parcels shipped out by the company. But are they always driving safely on their routes?
After a number of serious and fatal accidents involving drivers delivering packages for Amazon, Inside Edition decided to follow some Amazon drivers from a huge Amazon delivery station in New Jersey.
One driver was spotted speeding down the highway, nearly cutting off a semi-truck. Inside Edition's Chief Investigative Correspondent Lisa Guerrero caught up with him when he stopped to make a delivery.
"You were definitely driving dangerously and you were speeding, so why?" Guerrero asked.
"The day started super late. I was trying to hurry up and get to my delivery," the driver replied.
"Isn't it dangerous to be driving too fast?" Guerrero countered.
"Yes and I apologize," he said.
Some of Amazon’s drivers are independent contractors who can sign up online to deliver packages. They’re required to have a valid license, pass a background check and review a series of safety training videos.
“The drivers are under immense pressure,” said Texas attorney Brad Bonilla, who is suing Amazon for negligence after two of his clients were seriously injured by drivers delivering for Amazon. “The biggest complaint [drivers] have is that they have too many packages to deliver and not enough time to deliver them.” Amazon denies the allegations and any wrongdoing.
In a statement to Inside Edition, Amazon said: "Safety is our number one priority. We regularly communicate a variety of safety topics, including loading and driving practices, with drivers. The vast majority of drivers complete their routes safely in less than the allotted time."
Tune into Inside Edition on Tuesday to see what happened when one of our producers went undercover to deliver packages for Amazon.
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