Why aren’t companies paying more attention to driver wellbeing?

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In: In the Spotlight, INTRANSIT NEWS

Driver mental and physical health is suffering within the logistics industry.

The Facts

The profession of truck driving is incredibly demanding, often with high levels of stress and little opportunity for healthy choices. The high demands of the jobs often cause drivers to put their own psychical and mental health to the side, which can negatively impact the drivers themselves and possibly also road safety, and finally the well-functioning of supply chains.

According to an Australian survey published in BMC Public Health of 1390 long and short-haul drivers, an overwhelming majority (almost 80%) of driver respondents were classified as either overweight or obese. Thirty percent reported three or more chronic health conditions and poor general health. Chronic pain was present for 44% of drivers. 

Because of the lack of adequate parking spaces, drivers stress to find places to rest, furthering the burden on their mental and physical health and potentially causing further fatigue when proper places to rest are not available. In addition, options to engage in healthy choices such as available exercise equipment or a hot, fresh meal are scarce resulting in further negative impact on driver health.

Mental Health Obstacles for Drivers 

In the same Australian survey of drivers, half of the drivers reported low levels of psychological distress and the other half reported severe or moderate levels of psychological distress. Mental health issues are a serious concern for drivers, including but not limited to the following challenges:

Isolation & High Stress Levels

Long distance drivers in particular often spend extended periods away from home and their families, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. This social isolation can lead to depression and anxiety, among other mental health concerns. Logistics can be a stressful industry, with truck drivers facing tight deadlines, long hours of traffic and road safety concerns. This in turn can also lead to extended periods of constant stress, which build up over time and also lead to anxiety and depression.

No Mental Health Care

Most companies or professions offer support for their employees regarding their mental health, especially for jobs which heavily weigh on workers. However, the truck driving industry still has to learn how to offer proper support for drivers. There are currently few resources or options for truck drivers to find support, which in turn leads to deeper stress, isolation, anxiety and depression.

Few or Unhygienic Facilities

Where besides the secure and safe truck parking areas, can a driver find a healthy meal or places to exercise between those long hours of sitting in the truck on the road? Where can drivers rest their heads and clear their minds after hours of stressful traffic and facing pickup and drop-off deadlines? 

According to the Spanish Road Transport Federation, at this point in time, the road network of High Capacity Roads (motorways and national Roads) in Spain is comprised of 15,000 km and the number of officially recognized safe and secure parking areas is 35 (20 of which are ESPORG members). This means that there is a deficit of 115 safe and secure parking areas in Spain alone. The German Federal Association of Road Haulage, Logistics and Disposal (BGL) estimates that there are currently 35,000 to 40,000 truck parking spaces missing along the motorways in Germany. Furthermore, in a joint open letter to the Parliament and EU negotiators, IRU, ETF and ESPORG determined that Europe currently needs 100,000 more truck parking spaces and urged policy makers to facilitate the creation of a full network of SSTPAs on the core, extended core, and comprehensive network. There is an obvious need for parking areas.

So ,what are we doing about it?

Setting the Standard

One of the main reasons ESPORG became the driving force behind the EU-Parking Standard was to ensure that drivers’ basic needs were being met. Prior to the EU-Parking Standard, there were no basic requirements to which truck parking areas needed to adhere. Now, in order to get any funding from the European Commission to build a parking area, the project must certify through the EU-Parking Standard and meet specific security and service criteria. In addition, there are four levels at which safe and secure parking areas can certify so drivers know what kind of security and service they will receive: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. All of these levels ensure that the basic needs, services, and safety of drivers are met. 

Driver Advocacy

Truckers Life is one of the few initiatives in Europe which focuses on driver health. The non-profit organisation is based in Poland and prioritises the mental and physical health of drivers as well as their safety. They want to help drivers improve their lifestyles and sponsor several outdoor gyms at parks, parking areas, rest areas and service stations throughout Europe.

Other organisations like the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the European Road Hauliers Association (UETR) and the European Transport Workers Federation (EFT) are involved on several levels of advocacy, including with stakeholders and policy makers, to ensure that operators and drivers’ interests and needs are adequately responded. 

ESPORG not only focuses on driver needs but also on providing practical solutions within the logistics industry so that parking areas become safe and secure havens for drivers to rest and recuperate. At ESPORG, we recognize the importance of adopting a holistic approach in the industry that acknowledges the drivers as individuals with diverse needs. Rather than viewing them solely as employees, it is crucial to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This entails providing them with the necessary resources and support to maintain their overall health, such as access to counseling and support services, initiatives that promote work-life balance, stress management programs, and partnerships with mental health organizations.

But is it enough? 

In 2022 the International Road Transport Union (IRU) published a study which stated that Europe is currently short about 380,000 drivers and that this is about 10% of the total demand. In addition, this shortage could increase to 500,000 by the end of 2023. Clearly, the profession need to work on attracting new drivers to the profession and here focus on driver wellbeing  and mental and physical health could be a gamechanger. 

What are the next steps? 

It is plain to see that there need to be more resources for drivers to take control of their mental and physical health. This is something the industry as a whole needs to be made aware of and should take into their own hands to provide. In addition, education and awareness is key which is why ESPORG is partnering to develop several programs for drivers to learn about managing stress, making healthy lifestyle choices, personal development, among other topics in addition to the industry education already implemented through the EU Parking Academy. 

One thing is crystal clear: companies need more drivers, drivers need support and the industry has to do better to provide this support.

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