Delivery drivers: engine off, doors locked to avoid theft

South Derbyshire residents expressed road safety concerns about food and commercial delivery drivers regularly abandoning cars and commercial vans inappropriately on busy road junctions, pavements and driveways whilst making drop-offs.

And this week, whilst out and about on patrol in the village of Repton, police spotted a food delivery driver park up, hop out to handover food, while casually leaving the engine running and his vehicle completely unattended.

While the car sat idling, waiting for its own potential takeaway, obvious concerns arose about vehicle security and the risk of theft.

Thankfully, no one drove off with the car, and police dealt with the driver – reminding him that convenience doesn’t trump common sense or road safety laws.

While everyone appreciates hot food arriving in a timely manner, most agree it shouldn’t come at the cost of vehicle security or basic responsibility.

Leaving a car running and unlocked, even for “just a minute”, is a big no-no and can be an open invitation for opportunist thieves.