According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average life expectancy of a commercial truck driver is 61 years. That’s 16 years lower than the national average, making truck driving one of the unhealthiest occupations in the U.S. While safety has emerged as a top priority for many trucking companies, alarming statistics like these underscore the critical need to focus on drivers’ physical and mental well-being. In fact, health and wellness are no longer just nice-to-haves; they are becoming essential components of a broader safety strategy.
Could wellness be trucking’s secret weapon? Let’s explore the urgent need for driver health initiatives and how trucking companies can make a meaningful impact by enhancing driver well-being, boosting job satisfaction, and driving overall company success.
The Long Haul: Truck Drivers Face Multiple Health Risks
It’s no secret the trucking industry faces a unique set of challenges unlike any other profession. Long-haul drivers often endure shifts that can last up to 14 hours, spending extended periods of time seated behind the wheel. Other occupational challenges include limited access to healthy food options on the road and less-than-perfect sleeping conditions. As a result, truck drivers are facing multiple chronic health issues.
According to CDC research, seven out of ten truckers are obese in the U.S. Additionally, drivers are vulnerable to a wide range of risk factors, including hypertension, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity, and insomnia. Truck drivers also face mental health issues caused by long periods of isolation or stress from financial, family, or marital problems, which can significantly impact physical health and job performance.
In addition, there is a rising trend of drivers facing severe legal consequences for accidents related to health issues, such as distracted driving. Not only are drivers negatively impacted by driving incidents and accidents, their companies can suffer from monetary losses and reputational damage as well.
It’s not only employers who are placing greater emphasis on health. Drivers themselves are, too. In fact, the 2024 Commercial Carrier Journal What Drivers Want Report revealed that physical health was ranked as the second top concern among all drivers with nearly half of respondents rating physical health as a top concern.
The Time for Change is Now: Introducing a New Era for Driver Health
Fleets, trucking companies, and drivers themselves cannot afford to neglect the importance of good health. Transitioning from basic compliance to a comprehensive strategy is crucial, and organizations that think outside the box and implement tailored driver health initiatives are seeing transformative benefits.
Introducing small yet impactful changes, like stretching routines and nutritional guidance, can have significantly positive effects on both physical and mental health for drivers. Offshift, a provider of digital health programs designed specifically for trucking professionals, is leading the way to improve the lives of drivers.
“No one’s career should dictate their health, yet in the trucking industry, the statistics make it hard to argue otherwise,” said Dr. Mark Manera, chief executive officer and founder of Offshift. “We’re talking about an industry where safety is paramount. Millions of drivers are on the highways, controlling 80,000-pound vehicles at high speeds. When drivers struggle to manage their physical and mental health, it poses a significant safety risk on the roads and impacts the industry as a whole.”
Unlike traditional health benefit programs, Offshift provides customized health plans specifically for drivers, focusing on promoting preventative care, improving medication adherence, and promoting lifestyle changes. Its programs are designed to be time-efficient and environment-specific, accommodating the unique challenges drivers face on the road. With access to their own concierge health coach via a mobile app, drivers receive customized health advice, exercise videos, nutrition tips, and much more. Drivers can even access customized exercise routines they can do inside their cabs.
In addition to physical health, mental health is also critical for drivers spending long hours on the road. Physical and mental health are deeply interconnected, and it’s important for trucking companies to prioritize both. Addressing mental health issues like isolation, anxiety, and depression is paramount, and communicating what benefits are available to drivers is an essential first step on the path to promoting mental health. Providing easy access to counseling and mental health resources through comprehensive employee assistance programs can go a long way in breaking down misconceptions and simplifying the process of getting help when drivers need it most.
Wellness Wins: How Prioritizing Health Drives Overall Success
“By leveraging innovative health programs provided by Offshift, along with our video telematics technology, we are prioritizing driver wellness, and it’s having a lasting impact on the trucking companies we serve. We’re not just enhancing road safety but also driving meaningful ROI,” said Jeff Martin, vice president of global sales strategy at Lytx®, a provider of fleet management safety solutions to the trucking industry. “When companies invest in differentiated benefits that meet drivers’ unique needs – it’s a win for everyone – from the drivers to the bottom line.”
Enhancing driver health plays a key role in improving overall business performance in a variety of areas while also leading to improved profits and savings. For instance, healthier drivers are more engaged and typically provide better service, which, in turn, improves customer satisfaction and retention. Better driver retention rates lead to reduced turnover costs, which, combined with enhanced productivity and safety, result in a stronger ROI. Higher job satisfaction and less stress on drivers also translates to better alertness and reaction times, contributing to overall road safety. It’s a powerful ripple effect that enhances every aspect of a company’s performance and reputation.
Future-Ready: Prioritizing Health for the Next Generation of Truck Drivers
To secure a bright future for the trucking industry, it’s crucial that companies don’t just talk about driver health but truly invest in it and recognize the unique needs of this critical workforce too. Leaders must set an example, showing their commitment to health programs and making them a real priority. Communication is also critical to ensure driver buy-in and strong health program participation rates.
Advanced driver safety technology, combined with driver health programs and targeted coaching will be key to fostering a healthier workforce. For example, Lytx’s AI-driven video telematics and in-cab video systems monitor and alert for risky behaviors, such as inattentiveness that can be caused by fatigue due to sleep apnea. When this advanced technology is combined with robust coaching and health programs, drivers are further supported with personalized guidance to address the core challenges they are facing. This holistic approach not only helps minimize health risks but also promotes lasting behavior change, ensuring drivers remain alert and safe. What’s more, by implementing this multifaceted strategy, companies are able to achieve higher safety standards and a healthier, more efficient workforce.
As we look toward the future, prioritizing driver health and safety will ultimately lead to building the next generation of truck drivers, attracting fresh talent to the industry, and creating a safer, healthier environment for everyone on the road.
“It boils down to setting up drivers for ‘game-day’ success each and every day,” added Martin. “There are no practice days in the world of trucking, and a company’s secret weapon is ensuring that their drivers are prepared physically and mentally to perform at 100% during their shift — their safety and the safety of others depend on it.”
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Lytx has been the trusted provider of fleet management telematics solutions to the trucking industry for over 25 years. Its video safety and video telematics solutions empower fleets to grow a culture of safety and operational excellence within their organizations. Learn more about Lytx.
Offshift is a digital health company that aims to improve the health of truck drivers. Offshift’s programs have been praised for making health management more accessible and practical for drivers. Learn more about Offshift.
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