Christchurch rubbish truck drivers crash four times more often than Auckland counterparts

Christchurch’s rubbish truck drivers have an alarming safety record; crashing four times more than their Auckland counterparts.

In the last year, Christchurch City Council’s rubbish contractors have had 37 accidents where they have been at fault.

These range from minor incidents, such as scraping a wing mirror, to more serious accidents like hitting a power pole.

Council resource recovery manager Dr Alec McNeil points out the council contracts 60 trucks to work five days a week, collecting rubbish from more than 500,000 bins.

But in Auckland, where there are more than three times as many households, there have been just nine truck crashes where the driver was found to be at fault this year, an Auckland Council spokesperson said.

While the information provided by Auckland covers a shorter time, it includes not only rubbish collections but also recycling and new food scrap collections.

The number also includes minor incidents, such as when a wing mirror is knocked, the council spokesperson said.

A further four crashes were found to not be the fault of the driver. Auckland also battles rubbish truck fires, likely caused by discarded vapes or batteries.

Caroline Perry, director of road safety charity Brake, said the crash numbers were worrying.

“Many companies and drivers have important jobs on our roads, but it’s always concerning to hear about incidents involving company vehicles and drivers.”

The responsibility for safety on the roads lies not only with the commercial drivers but with their companies and the councils that contract them, she said.

“There are lots of measures companies can put in place to help reduce their road risk, from ensuring their vehicles have the best safety features, to incorporating additional features such as extended mirrors, blind-spot sensors and telematics systems.

“It’s also important they have robust procedures around driver recruitment and training.”

But Perry said there are a few things that all people using the roads can do to help keep safe around rubbish trucks – including keeping out of a truck’s blind spot, only overtaking if it is safe and never walking between a truck and a bin.

Road safety campaigner Clive Matthew-Wilson said minor accidents involving rubbish trucks are common, but often go unreported.

He thought Christchurch drivers either need more training or the crashes are under-reported in Auckland.

Matthew-Wilson, who lives in central Auckland, said he had a neighbour whose car was scraped by a rubbish truck. He claims the neighbour had to chase the driver and argue the driver’s responsibility before the damage was paid for.

But Matthew-Wilson is most worried about the potential for rubbish trucks to cause serious accidents, with 39% of urban bike deaths involving a heavy vehicle, such as a rubbish truck.

“Rubbish trucks are hard to drive and tend to have poor rear visibility. This poses a huge risk for other road users.”

Matthew-Wilson, who edits the car review website dogandlemon.com, says technology is the best solution to improve rubbish truck safety, such as cameras that give truck drivers a 360 degree view.

The revelation about Christchurch City Council’s rubbish truck crashes comes after a resident recorded the aftermath of a crash by council subcontractor Waste Line.

The video by Tom Cook, which has been viewed more than 38,000 times on TikTok, shows a fence and two vehicles which appear to be damaged by the rubbish truck.

However, that crash – which occurred in Akaroa on Friday, October 6 – did not happen during a council, run but while the truck was servicing private collections, according to McNeil.

The crash occurred after the driver injured their finger during the collection and appeared to have a medical event on the way to finding help.

“We are advised that the driver has no further injuries and is now on light duties.”

No council services were impacted, McNeil said.

Brake’s advice for keeping safe around rubbish trucks

Perry said there are a few things all road users can do to help keep safe when using the road around rubbish trucks.

Drivers:

• Be aware that rubbish trucks stop frequently.
• Keep out of a truck’s blind spots.
• Be aware that some rubbish trucks have dual driving, so the driver may be on the left-hand side of the cab and may have different blind spots.
• Only overtake if it’s safe: slow down, keep out of blind spots before manoeuvring, give yourself plenty of room and indicate before moving.
• Be aware that trucks need more time to slow down than cars and need more room to turn or reverse. Keep your distance.

Pedestrians:

• Be aware of rubbish truck arms that may come out to empty bins. Stay well back from bins when a truck is collecting. Don’t walk between a bin and the truck.
• If you need to cross the road, cross well away from the truck so you can see other traffic and you’re not in any blind spots.

Cyclists:

• If you need to pass a stationary rubbish truck, pass it on the outside.
• If on a cycle lane, be aware of where bins/bags have been placed and where truck arms may operate.
• Be aware that drivers may get in and out of the vehicle on the left-hand side.