UPS drivers never make left turns, you could benefit from the same trick

Driving comes with its own set of rules. Some are clearly stated, while others are unwritten but widely practiced. One such rule that UPS drivers follow is avoiding left turns, according to The Conversation. Instead of taking shortcuts or making left turns, UPS drivers stick to a predetermined route for a very deliberate reason.

The main reason for this protocol is that most U.S. roads have oncoming traffic on the left, making left turns more dangerous and disruptive. By prioritizing right turns and following a set route, UPS drivers help avoid traffic delays and reduce accidents.

Vehicle routing is followed by several people who drive wherein they choose the shortest route, assuming they’ll reach their destinations faster. This rerouting makes it chaotic for the entire traffic across the streets, adding to the problem. UPS drivers are taking their planning up a notch and choosing more optimized and quicker routes than shorter ones. This means they avoid the abrupt shortcuts and pick roads that are possibly longer but more free and open. The drivers pick routes that are away from the traffic to get more freedom while driving on roads. This method gets them to their destination faster with minimal inconvenience. 

Another reason why left-hand turns aren't the best bet for drivers is due to traffic. Problems like using up excess fuel due to the wait in traffic and the risk of accidents and so on are at bay. Journalist Tom Vanderbilt explained the same more concretely saying, “Left-turning traffic typically has to turn against a flow of oncoming vehicles. This can not only be dangerous but makes traffic build-up unless you install a dedicated left-turn ‘phase,’ which is fine but adds 30 or 45 seconds to everyone else’s single time,” per CNN. Apart from saving time and lives, the no left-turn rule also helps save fuel and maintain the vehicle’s health.

One of the main criteria to ensure efficiency in the former is to take fewer left turns. Only 10% of left turns are estimated during the entire trip UPS drivers make. Thanks to this routine, they save around 10m gallons of fuel. Additionally, by picking other routes over a left turn, drivers escape long hours of waiting where their engine is idling and slowly deteriorating the health of the vehicle. Jack Levis, senior director of UPS Process Management, explained, “A left-hand turn is also less fuel efficient because your car’s idling longer, which is not good for your vehicle.”

He added, “We will make left-hand turns, but not unnecessary ones. We don’t need to go in circles all day long by making only right-hand turns. We have tools to analyze the number of left-hand turns for each route, and we can work out which ones are avoidable.” UPS drivers have picked the smarter route and drivers of private and other vehicles are also encouraged to follow the same. The benefits of saving fuel, losing traffic, and avoiding accidents, as well as dangers are a win-win situation for all vehicle owners.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on July 17, 2024. It has since been updated.