Delivering pain to posties

Waurn Ponds, North Geelong trouble spots for mail carriers

DOGS may be the stereotypical nemesis of the postie, but statistics show it is careless motorists who pose the most danger in Geelong.

Posties in the city’s north and south found more trouble than almost anywhere else in Victoria, Australia Post data reveals.

Across Greater Geelong, posties were on average involved in almost two incidents a month during 2017-18.

While three had run-ins with dogs, two posties were struck by reversing cars and a further 17 were involved in reported road incidents.

Only Hoppers Crossing had a greater number of incidents than Waurn Ponds and North Geelong, with five injuries experienced on the roads in the latter suburb. The statistics have led Australia Post to invest $30 million into creating safer environments for their posties over the next year.

“One injury is one too many, and to have five in North Geelong and its surrounds is just not acceptable,” safety group executive Peter Bass said.

“One of the things we are doing is replacing motorcycles on appropriate rounds with electric-assisted bikes and electric delivery vehicles, which are safer modes of transport.”

Mr Bass said the organisation was being proactive, ahead of the peak delivery sea-

“Our work to address these issues will help us create a safer environment for everyone.” AUSTRALIA POST SAFETY GROUP EXECUTIVE PETER BASS

son around Christmas, when more posties would be on the road.

“Unrestrained or reactive dogs, reversing cars and drivers speeding through roundabouts also pose a risk to not just our people, but other road users and pedestrians,” he said.

“Our work to address these issues will help us create a safer environment for everyone.”