Why UPS Trucks Don't Turn Left

Priceonomics ^ | 4-4-14 | Alex Mayyasi

[afraidfortherepublic]

Video at source.

[wonkowasright]

This is why you never see a UPS truck in a NASCAR race.

[Disambiguator]

FedEx had, as part of their safe driving guidelines, a recommendation to avoid left turns whenever possible. (In the interest of disclosure, I worked for them many years ago - early 80s to early 90s. That’s how I know this.)

It’s true that many accidents occur as a result of someone making a left turn. It’s a metaphor for politics, too!

[PapaNew]

left-hand turns were a major drag on efficiency.

Now, if only our country could learn the same thing.

[bigheadfred]

I’m left handed and I turned out all right.

[BenLurkin]

Bump!

[Alex Murphy]

In 2004, UPS announced a new policy for its drivers: the right way to get to any destination was to avoid left-hand turns.

"Derek, that's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sure there are lots of people out there who can't...turn....I mean there have gotta be some people out there, just like you, who can't...turn...turn...left."

[Scrambler Bob]

Watch out, the CEO will be fired.

[nascarnation]

[mad_as_he$$]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3141404/posts

[cripplecreek]

I live on a dead end street and have a whole colony of UPS drivers living down here. I think they’ve gone feral and ate a FedEx driver who wandered in among them.

[Popman]

This is not new news.... Almost all delivery type companies like beer, soft drink, etc use programs like “road net” to sequence deliveries in the most efficient way possible.....

I used one for years and yes you do get some very weird looking routes....also depends on the information programmed into it....

As with any computer program.... Garbage in garbage out...

[nascarnation]

LOL Teamsters eating non-union workers eh?

[nascarnation]

I’m sure some day when “big gov” has implemented full vehicle controls, you will punch in your destination and “big gov” will offer up the “allowable” route.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I avoid left turns whenever convenient. I implemented the same rule informally, mostly to avoid potentially dangerous situations. I nearly always avoid dangerous intersections when it makes sense.

[bunkerhill7]

I knew a lady UPS driver that really knew how to do “a series of right-hand loops”,

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Based on my local experience, their job adverts must read:
“NOW HIRING: World’s Most Aggressive and Obnoxious Drivers. Must be willing to cut off anybody at any time. Blemished driving record? No problem.”

[cookcounty]

Avoiding left turns has been official FedEx policy since 1978.

[matt04]

They will turn left, but it is very rare.

[Alberta's Child]

What the article doesn't mention is that avoiding most left turns doesn't just save time and fuel. For a company like UPS, the additional predictability of travel time along a route is probably more valuable than the time and fuel they might save.