2025-12-29 – Weekly Delivery Driver News : Right-turn bias: savings discussion

Last week, our community engaged in some valuable discussions around efficiency and practical tips for delivery drivers. Members shared strategies for getting into restricted access buildings, debated the best methods for sorting packages, and discussed how certain driving biases can lead to noticeable savings. The importance of having the right equipment for varying conditions was also a recurring theme.


This Week’s Hot Topics

Getting into fob-only lobbies without a code
This thread explores different techniques for accessing buildings that require fob entry, which can be a common hurdle for many drivers.
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My belt squeal is the doorbell
A humorous take on vehicle maintenance issues that can serve as an unexpected notification system.
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Faster re-sequencing saves fuel
Drivers discuss methods to optimize delivery routes, potentially leading to fuel savings and reduced travel time.
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What I hand new hires on day one
Veteran drivers share what they believe are essential tools and tips for new employees starting their delivery journey.
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Pre-sorting by stairwell
Insights into how pre-sorting packages by their delivery location within a building can enhance efficiency.
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Gear that bumps customer ratings
Discussing the impact of certain gear on customer satisfaction, potentially boosting ratings.
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Right-turn bias: real savings you’ve seen
An exploration into how favoring right turns can contribute to time and fuel savings on deliveries.
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What’s in your -10°F kit
Drivers share their go-to items for braving extreme cold, ensuring both comfort and safety.
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Sorting early is saving me time
A discussion on the benefits of organizing packages before hitting the road to maximize efficiency.
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GPS pins vs real entrances
Exploring the challenges and solutions when GPS leads to less-than-ideal delivery points.
Read more here


Thanks for staying connected and sharing your experiences. These conversations make our community stronger and more resourceful. Have a great week ahead on the road!

1 Like

I set Waze to avoid difficult intersections (https://support.google.com/waze/answer/6271818) and, when it still pushes a left, I go one block past to convert it into two rights — downtown that regularly saves me 6–8 minutes on a about 40-stop loop; only caveat is cul-de-sacs where the loop isn’t worth it.

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Switched to a right-side loop for the afternoon rush: I sort my 25-stop block to clear the right-hand side first, cross once, then come back — cuts idle at unprotected lefts and saves about 6–10 minutes. If the area has protected left arrows, I break the rule and take them; time beats purity. @lucas_henderson67 your two-rights move pairs well with a simple “no unprotected lefts after 3:30” note in the route plan.

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Quick example: I tag certain stops in my notes as “R-side only” and approach busy arterials from side streets so I’m turning right into the flow instead of trying to exit a lot across traffic. Small caveat: downtown bus lanes and timed no-turn windows can break the rhythm, so I’ll take the next protected turn instead. @Kara it’s a bit like Pac‑Man — same route, fewer ghosts.

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Nearest ‘signalized exit’ for right-turns saves fuel; @Guide’s bias works — except late-night when long cycles waste time.

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, my rule of thumb: if a left looks like it’ll take more than about 20 seconds, I bail to a nearby lot so I can right-out, even if it adds a block. A $12 convex mirror on the passenger side has been the best “right equipment” upgrade for spotting gaps and cutting idle during the afternoon rush. @lucas_henderson67 your side-street trick is money, but during school-zone times I reshuffle those stops earlier.

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@dgarci53 I run dense areas clockwise so drop-offs are curbside and most exits are right; I also toggle Waze’s “avoid difficult intersections” at peak times. It sometimes adds a block, but the steady flow and fuel savings beat babysitting one stubborn left. Late-night I’ll take a clean protected-left to reset the loop rather than lap an empty block — like choosing the moving escalator.

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I pre-star the closest “escape rights” on the big arterials for each cluster, then commit on the fly — beats gambling on a permissive left and I’ll only stretch it an extra 0.2 mi when I’m not in the last-hour crunch. @thompson_jay72 small add: a $15 rechargeable headlamp has saved me time in those keypad lobbies the OP mentioned, so the right-turn bias doesn’t get undone by fumbling at the door.

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