Safe curbside stops for delivery and rideshare drivers: a guide for drivers and employers
How to plan stops, load and pick up without blocking lanes, crosswalks or riders
Why the curb is the riskiest part of the route
For a delivery driver, the drive between addresses is the routine part. The stop is where everything happens at once: finding a spot, watching for bikes, checking mirrors, grabbing the package and stepping out next to moving traffic.
That last part matters more than most people realize. Once the driver gets out, they’re a pedestrian. Federal data show 369 workers were killed in 2024 in pedestrian incidents involving vehicles, a 19% jump from 310 in 2023 [1]. Transportation incidents as a whole caused 1,937 work deaths that year, 38.2% of all fatal work injuries [1].
Driving jobs carry some of the highest risk. The occupation group BLS calls driver/sales workers and truck drivers had 950 deaths in 2024. Their death rate was 25.7 per 100,000 full time equivalent workers, compared with 3.3 for all workers [8].
The cost to employers is large too. NIOSH counted more than 21,000 worker deaths in work related motor vehicle crashes in the United States from 2011 to 2022 [9]. In 2019, these crashes cost employers $39 billion, about $75,000 for each nonfatal injury and $751,000 for each death [9].
Stops also fill a lot of the day. A Seattle study of commercial vehicle drivers found they were parked for about 80% of their working day [10]. Another Seattle study estimated that drivers spent about 2.3 minutes cruising for parking on each trip, close to 28% of trip time [11]. When parking is scarce and the clock is running, the temptation to stop anywhere is strong.
What goes wrong at the curb
Most curbside problems fall into five patterns. Each one puts someone else on the road at risk, and often the driver as well.
Double parking
Stopping next to a car parked at the curb blocks a travel lane. Drivers behind you swing around, often into the next lane or the oncoming one. Riders on bikes get squeezed. In a five city field count, motor vehicles blocked curb and sidewalk access 24.7% of the time, compared with 1.7% for e-scooters and 0.3% for bikes. Ride hailing and food delivery drivers stood out, often while double parking [2].
Stopping in bike lanes
A bike lane stop forces riders into traffic. In police data from San Francisco covering April through June 2017, 1,723 of 2,656 citations, about 65%, went to Uber and Lyft drivers. That included 183 of 239 citations for blocking a traffic lane or a bike lane [12]. A 2016 volunteer count on one block of Valencia Street found 53 cars stopped in the bike lane in a single hour, forcing 205 riders into traffic [13].
Stopping at corners and crosswalks
The open curb near a corner looks tempting. A vehicle stopped there hides people about to cross. California, for example, bans stopping within 20 feet of the approach side of a crosswalk, or 15 feet where there’s a curb extension [4].
Opening doors into traffic
A door opened without a look back can strike a passing rider. Studies count dooring as 12% to 27% of urban crashes between bikes and motor vehicles [14]. California and New York both say no one may open a door on the traffic side unless it’s reasonably safe [15, 16]. That covers passengers too.
Backing up
Backing is a common way to get out of a tight stop. It’s also dangerous. Backover crashes kill an average of 210 people and injure 15,000 each year. Children under 5 account for 31% of those deaths, and adults 70 and older for 26% [17].
The pressure behind bad stops
Drivers know double parking isn’t ideal. They do it anyway because of the clock. In a survey of 780 home delivery drivers, most agreed that time pressure led to speeding and “unsafe or hazardous parking” [18]. A study of delivery drivers in the Northeast found they look for an open spot first and double park second, with on time delivery as their top priority [19].
That is why the safest stop plan starts before the shift. A driver who knows where the loading zones are, and who has enough time on the route to use them, makes better choices at the curb.
What the rules say
Curb rules differ by state and city. These examples show what drivers in a few places face.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| Place | Rule | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | Double parking is banned. Commercial vehicles may double park only to make quick pickups, deliveries or service calls when no space or loading zone is within 100 feet. No double parking in Midtown, 14th to 60th Streets, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Sundays. | $115 [3] |
| New York City | Stopping in a marked bike lane, crosswalk, intersection, bus stop or bus lane | $115 each [3] |
| California | No stopping on a crosswalk or alongside a vehicle parked at the curb, and no stopping within 20 feet of a crosswalk’s approach side | Set locally [4] |
| California and New York | No opening a door on the traffic side unless it’s reasonably safe, and no leaving it open longer than needed | Varies [15, 16] |
| Seattle | Commercial vehicle load zones are for commercial vehicles or permit holders, with a 30 minute limit | See city rules [20] |
| Pittsburgh | Smart loading zones allow up to one hour, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. | $40 [21] |
| Florida | Flashing hazard lights may be used to show a vehicle is lawfully stopped or disabled | See state rules [22] |
Notice what the Florida rule says. Flashers can signal that a vehicle is lawfully stopped. Nothing in these rules says flashers make an unlawful stop legal.
A safe stop, step by step
Use the same routine at every stop until it’s automatic.
- Plan the stop before you arrive. Check the map for loading zones, side streets, alleys and lots near the address.
- Slow down early. Signal, check your mirrors and look for bikes and scooters before you move toward the curb.
- Pick a legal spot. Use a loading zone or open curb space. Skip bike lanes, bus stops, crosswalks, corners and the space next to a parked car.
- Pull fully in. Get close to the curb so your vehicle doesn’t stick into the travel lane or bike lane.
- Look back before you open the door. Check your mirror, then turn and look. Open the door slowly and close it promptly.
- Walk like a pedestrian. Cross at corners when you can, make eye contact with drivers and wear something visible at night.
- Plan your exit. Choose a spot you can pull out of forward. If you must back up, walk around the vehicle first or use a spotter.
If no legal spot exists, go around the block or move to the next stop and come back. One extra loop costs a few minutes. A crash or a ticket costs far more.
Rideshare pickups and drop offs
Rideshare stops are short, but there are many of them. In Washington, D.C., rideshare and taxi stops at reserved curb zones averaged under 2.5 minutes [5]. Short stops add up on busy streets. Each one can block a bike lane or travel lane.
Pickup zones help. Seattle tested longer passenger load zones, stretching them from 20 feet to 274 feet and adding app geofencing. Pickups and drop offs in the travel lane went down, dwell times got shorter and drivers followed the rules more often [23]. A larger Seattle study of more than 6,000 vehicles also linked pickup zones and geofencing to faster curb operations [24].
For drivers, a few habits go a long way:
- Message the rider with a pickup spot on a side street or in a marked zone, rather than stopping in front of the door.
- Pull fully to the curb so the rider steps straight onto the sidewalk.
- Ask riders to get out on the curb side and to look back for bikes before opening the door.
- Never let a rider out in a bike lane, travel lane or crosswalk, even if they ask.
- At airports, stadiums and campuses, follow the posted pickup rules.
What employers and fleet managers can do
Drivers make the choice at the curb, but employers shape the conditions. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends steps that apply directly to curbside stops [6]:
- Set schedules that let drivers follow speed limits and traffic laws. Don’t build routes that make drivers rush.
- Use monitoring data for coaching. NIOSH warns against using it to push drivers to speed or put in longer hours to hit quotas.
- Prohibit texting and handheld phone use behind the wheel. Consider banning hands free calls too.
- Inspect vehicles before and after each trip. Choose vehicles with rear cameras and collision warning when you can.
- Train new drivers, review driving records each year and look into every crash.
NIOSH guidance on backing adds a few more steps [7]. Design stops so less backing is needed. Use a spotter, and stop the moment the spotter is out of view. Check backup cameras and alarms every shift.
Parking tickets are worth a second look. A pattern of double parking or bike lane tickets at the same addresses can point to a route that needs more time or a better stop location.
How cities are making room at the curb
Cities have been testing ways to give drivers a legal place to stop. Most of the results so far come from city agencies or vendors, not independent studies. So treat the exact numbers with some caution.
- Washington, D.C., 2019. Nine reserved pickup and drop off zones ran for three months. Near the zones, double parking and illegal U-turns fell by an estimated 64%. About 6,350 drivers from more than 900 companies reserved space more than 15,000 times [5]. Deliveries averaged 7 to 11 minutes at the curb [5].
- Columbus, Ohio. Eight loading zones were used about 19,000 times during a six month pilot. About 65% of drivers said they would otherwise have parked illegally or double parked more than half the time [25].
- Pittsburgh. A 2023 vendor report on 20 smart loading zones found double parking down 40% [26]. By late 2025, with about 200 zones, city officials reported a 97% drop in double parking in those areas [27].
- New York City. The city launched its Smart Curbs program on October 28, 2024 [28]. City officials say daytime loading zones have cut double parking by up to 73% in other locations [29].
Frequently asked questions
Do hazard lights make double parking OK?
No. California bans stopping alongside a vehicle at the curb [4]. New York City fines double parking $115 [3]. Florida allows flashers to show a vehicle is lawfully stopped, which is different from making a stop lawful [22].
Can I stop in a bike lane for just a minute?
In New York City, any stop in a marked bike lane is a $115 violation [3]. Rules vary elsewhere, but a bike lane stop always pushes riders into traffic. Find a legal spot instead.
How long can I stay in a loading zone?
Read the posted sign. Seattle’s commercial load zones allow 30 minutes [20]. Pittsburgh’s smart loading zones allow up to one hour [21].
Where should rideshare drivers pick up and drop off?
Use a legal curb space or a marked pickup zone [23]. Avoid bike lanes, bus stops, crosswalks and corners. Ask riders to exit on the curb side.
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Curbside stops are where delivery and rideshare work meets everyone else on the street. A stop in a bike lane, a crosswalk or the travel lane may save a minute. It also moves the risk onto riders, walkers and the driver who has to step out into traffic.
The fix takes planning at both ends. Drivers can use legal spots, pull fully to the curb, look before opening doors and avoid backing. Employers can build routes with time to park legally and treat tickets as warning signs. Cities are adding loading zones. Early results suggest drivers use them when they exist.
Related articles
- Workplace motor vehicle safety program: a step by step employer guide
- Fleet telematics and driver cameras: how to coach drivers, not punish them
- Parking lot, driveway and backing safety: beat your blind zones
- Bicycle, e-bike and scooter safety: how drivers and riders share the road
- Personal and rental cars for work: a safety guide for employers
Sources and further reading
- 1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). “National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2024.” February 19, 2026. bls.gov/news.release/cfoi.nr0.htm
- 2Brown AE, Klein NJ, Thigpen C, Williams N. “Impeding access: The frequency and characteristics of improper scooter, bike, and car parking.” Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives 4:100099, 2020. doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2020.100099
- 3NYC Department of Finance. “Violation codes, fines, rules, and regulations.” Accessed October 2026. nyc.gov/…/services-violation-codes.pa…
- 4California Vehicle Code Section 22500, as amended by AB 413 (Stats. 2023, ch. 652). 2025 code. law.justia.com/…/section-22500
- 5District Department of Transportation (DDOT). “DDOT, curbFlow Research Project Finds High Demand for Pickup, Dropoff Zones.” November 13, 2019. ddot.dc.gov/…/ddot-curbflow-research-proj…
- 6National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). “Preventing Work-related Motor Vehicle Crashes,” Publication 2015-111. March 2015. cdc.gov/…/2015-111.pdf
- 7National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). “Workplace Solutions: Preventing Worker Injuries and Deaths from Backing Construction Vehicles and Equipment at Roadway Construction Worksites,” Publication 2014-125. June 2014. cdc.gov/…/default.html
- 8U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). “Rate and number of fatal work injuries in selected occupations,” 2024 data. bls.gov/…/rate-and-number-of-fatal-wo…
- 9National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). “Motor Vehicle Safety at Work.” May 16, 2024. cdc.gov/niosh/motor-vehicle/about/index.html
- 10Dalla Chiara G, Krutein KF, Ranjbari A, Goodchild A. “Understanding Urban Commercial Vehicle Driver Behaviors and Decision Making.” Transportation Research Record 2675(9), 2021. journals.sagepub.com/…/03611981211003575
- 11Dalla Chiara G, Goodchild A. “Do commercial vehicles cruise for parking? Empirical evidence from Seattle.” Transport Policy 97:26-36, 2020. urbanfreightlab.com/…/CV-parking-cruising.pdf
- 12Streetsblog California. “Supervisor shocked to hear Uber and Lyft violate bike and transit lanes.” September 27, 2017. cal.streetsblog.org/…/supervisor-shocked-to-hear-…
- 13Boing Boing, reporting a Streetsblog volunteer count on Valencia Street, San Francisco. July 15, 2016. boingboing.net/…/san-franciscos-bike-lines-h…
- 14Schimek P. “Bike lanes next to on-street parallel parking.” Accident Analysis and Prevention 120:74-82, 2018. doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2018.08.002
- 15California Vehicle Code Section 22517: Opening and closing doors. codes.findlaw.com/…/veh-sect-22517
- 16New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1214: Opening and closing vehicle doors. nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/VAT/1214
- 17U.S. Department of Transportation. “NHTSA Announces Final Rule Requiring Rear Visibility Technology.” March 31, 2014. transportation.gov/…/nhtsa-announces-final-rule-…
- 18Christie N, et al. “Managing the road safety risks of last mile deliveries: Do telematics have a role to play?” Traffic Injury Prevention, 2024. Abstract. consensus.app/…/b3fb58599c4d516d9a95a1ff46c…
- 19Amaya J, et al. “Understanding Delivery Drivers’ Parking Preferences in Urban Freight Operations.” Transportation Research Part A, 2023. Abstract. consensus.app/…/aad73d10af7d525f9204324f16d…
- 20Seattle Department of Transportation. “Annual Truck Permits: Commercial Vehicle Load Zone Conditions of Use.” Accessed October 2026. seattle.gov/…/atp-commercial-vehicle-load…
- 21City of Pittsburgh. “Smart Loading Zones.” Accessed October 2026. engage.pittsburghpa.gov/smart-loading-zones
- 22Florida Statutes Section 316.2397 (2025): Certain lights prohibited, exceptions. flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/0316.2397
- 23Ranjbari A, et al. “Testing Curbside Management Strategies to Mitigate the Impacts of Ridesourcing Services on Traffic.” Transportation Research Record, 2020. Abstract. consensus.app/…/9dc7402197c85f5cbf5b9cede21…
- 24Machado-LeĂłn JL, et al. “An empirical analysis of passenger vehicle dwell time and curb management strategies for ride-hailing pick-up/drop-off operations.” Transportation, 2023. Abstract. consensus.app/…/3d75f71fb61f54ca94f24fe3912…
- 25Smart Cities Dive. “curbFlow loading zones used 19K times in Columbus, OH pilot.” November 8, 2019, updated June 29, 2020. smartcitiesdive.com/…/566940
- 26Automotus and the City of Pittsburgh. “Smart Loading Zones Case Study, 2023 Report.” March 2023. cmu.edu/…/pittsburgh-case-study-stage-1…
- 27Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure testimony, November 3, 2025, in Los Angeles City Council File 25-1232. cityclerk.lacity.org/…/25-1232_PC_PM_11-07-2025.pdf
- 28New York City Department of Transportation. Smart Curbs program launch press release. October 28, 2024. nyc.gov/…/smart-curbs-program-launch.…
- 29New York City Department of Transportation. “Smart Curbs Upper West Side,” presentation to Community Board 7. June 11, 2024. nyc.gov/…/smart-curbs-upper-west-side…
This article reflects the safety priorities of workplace driving safety and street safety education. It covers why curbside stops carry risk, what some cities’ rules say and how drivers and employers can plan safer stops. It is general education, not legal or employment advice. Check local rules and workplace safety requirements. Reviewed October 2026.
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