NJ Auto Accident, 17 Year Old Pizza Delivery Driver Was Killed

On April 19, 2002, a 17-year-old pizza delivery driver was killed in a motor vehicle accident while on a delivery run. The victim was working his first night at a small independent pizzeria that was located in a suburban area. He was making his second delivery of the evening, driving to deliver a pizza to a private home about a mile from the pizzeria. It was raining heavily as he navigated a 30 mph "S" turn in the road. He lost control of his vehicle and spun out, striking a tree alongside the road. Police and EMS units arrived and transported him to the local hospital, where he died later that evening after undergoing surgery. NJ FACE investigators recommend following these safety guidelines to prevent future incidents:

Recommendation:
1. Minors under the age of 18 should not be permitted to drive a motor vehicle for work as per Federal child labor laws.

Discussion:
Federal labor laws specifically prohibit minors in non-agricultural jobs from operating a motor vehicle as a regular part of their employment. This requirement is specified as Hazardous Order 2 (HO2) in the 17 Hazardous Occupation Orders for 16- and 17-year-old workers in the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Although the employer was legally exempt from the federal standard as his annual sales were less than $500,000, the NJ FACE Project strongly recommends that all employers follow the standards established to prevent youth injuries and fatalities.

2. Car owners should ensure that their vehicles are in proper operating condition.

3. Employers should become familiar with available resources on safety standards and safe work practices.