Why investing in truck drivers’ health is crucial for road safety, and society as a whole
Truck driving is Australia's most common male occupation – an estimated 1.3 million men drive trucks for a living. Yet the transport industry has many health risks. Isolation and a sedentary lifestyle are just two.
The industry reports high work-related injury and illness, resulting in considerable health impacts, disability, and economic costs.
One issue here is that most things we consume and use in daily life are transported by trucks, but little is done to address the health crisis of the drivers.
In 2022, we found that poor health among drivers costs the industry A$2.6 billion a year in lost productivity – much more than the $485 million spent on their healthcare.
This shows why investing in keeping drivers healthy and safe at work is so important, because while poor health impacts them directly, it also increases the likelihood of road accidents.
Read more: Tackling truck drivers asleep at the wheel
The three-year national study is the largest of its kind in Australia. We surveyed nearly 1400 drivers, and found that more than 80% were overweight or obese, 70% suffered from chronic pain, and nearly one-third had multiple chronic health conditions.
We also found most don’t eat a healthy, balanced diet. More positively, nearly half get enough physical activity, and while most drivers don’t smoke, more than four in 10 are at high risk of alcohol misuse.
Fatigue is a big problem, with more than six in 10 drivers saying they feel tired at work, and one in 10 admitting they’ve fallen asleep while driving trucks in the past year. About one in five are at high risk of sleep problems, and about a third rely on medication to manage sleep or fatigue.
Even more concerning is that one in five drivers under 35 report experiencing depression, with rates of severe psychological distress in this group nearly twice as high as the national average for men their age.
We think that addressing these health disparities in truck drivers will create a workforce that is healthier, happier, and ultimately safer on the road.
What contributes to poor mental health?
This brings us to our latest paper, published in the Journal of Transport and Health. We believe the first step to finding solutions is to better-understand the key factors affecting drivers and their mental health.
This is the first study to look at the wide range of factors at play. We gathered data online and through telephone surveys with truck drivers from across the country, covering various types of trucks and years of driving experience.
The findings show that job-related factors play a role, but also personal factors such as financial stress, workplace violence, and poor physical health.
Some factors, such as family situation and age, cannot be changed, but others – better work conditions, improved OHS training, and access to health resources – can be addressed.
Challenges beyond individual control
While drivers are, of course, partly responsible for their health, many health-related challenges within the industry need attention.
Industry-specific challenges, such as limited access to healthcare on long-haul trips, stigma regarding mental health in a male-dominated field, fears about sharing health issues with employers, and concerns about job security, must be tackled by all involved.
These problems are complex and connected, meaning solutions will need to address both personal and workplace-level issues to be effective.
What needs to be done?
Our latest study clearly shows changes must involve the wider transport industry, including employers and policymakers. To help drivers stay healthy at work, action must be taken at both the organisational and government levels.
Psychological distress in truck drivers often comes from external pressures. They work under strict deadlines, they drive for long hours, and can be paid based on distance. Interventions must incorporate strategies to teach drivers how to cope with compounding internal and external stressors.
Read more: Don’t just blame the driver – there’s more than one cause of fatal truck crashes
To help drivers stay healthy at work, it’s important to review and improve workplace policies and regulations. Drivers should also get proper safety and mental health training to help them handle work challenges, and be able to access healthcare and mental health support, especially during long trips.
There’s a need for greater investment in initiatives such as Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds, an organisation dedicated to improving mental health and physical wellbeing in Australia’s road transport, warehousing, and logistics sectors.
In the end, healthy drivers are safer drivers. Improving their health benefits not just the individuals, but the industry and society as a whole.
