Being a delivery rider is not an easy job. They are constantly racing against time to ensure food reaches customers hot and fresh. However, the pressure to meet delivery deadlines often leads to reckless driving, putting pedestrians and other motorists at risk.
A recent incident in India has highlighted this growing safety concern. A Swiggy delivery rider, reportedly speeding, lost control of his vehicle and hit an elderly couple.
The woman, in her 60s, suffered severe pain and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital by a concerned citizen, Sivasubramaniam Jayaraman. Fortunately, she did not suffer any fractures.
Jayaraman took to social media to share the incident, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “Heard a loud bang near my home this afternoon. An elderly couple had been hit by a #Swiggy delivery rider. The woman, in her 60s, was in severe pain — I rushed her to a nearby hospital. Thankfully, no fractures. Delivery bikes are constantly zipping through our roads, often in a rush. This is becoming a serious safety issue. It’s time the government caps the speed of delivery vehicles to 50 kmph. Like taxis, they need regulation.”
Swiggy Responds
Swiggy was quick to acknowledge the incident and reached out for more details to take appropriate action. In response to Jayaraman’s post, Swiggy’s customer support wrote:
“We are deeply sorry to hear about the incident involving our delivery partner and the distress it caused. Our thoughts are with the elderly couple, and we are relieved to know that there were no fractures. Safety is a top priority for us, and we are committed to ensuring that our delivery partners adhere to safe driving practices. We will be looking into this matter urgently and will take necessary actions to prevent such incidents in the future.”
Netizens React
Many social media users voiced their concerns, calling for stricter regulations on delivery riders. One user commented:
“Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Domino’s—delivery riders can often be seen driving rashly, taking the wrong lanes, and breaking traffic rules. They are always in a hurry due to unrealistic delivery expectations set by companies.”
Our opinion:-
With food delivery services becoming a necessity in modern urban life, the pressure on delivery riders continues to grow. While companies prioritize fast deliveries, the need for stricter speed regulations and road safety measures has never been more critical.