Stressed commercial drivers consider quitting
Nearly half of commercial drivers have considering quitting in the past year, according to a new survey carried out by Geotab.
It questioned 3,501 van and truck drivers across France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK in April as part of its Driver Stress and Road Safety report, with 46% admitting they had thought about quitting in the last 12 months.
Work-related stress, dangerous roads and a lack of employer support were cited as the main reasons.
A massive 97% said driving had become more dangerous in the last five years, due to poor driving (44%), speeding (38%), and mobile phone use (36%).
Meanwhile, 91% of commercial vehicle drivers in the UK said work-related stress has a negative impact on their driving, with 46% admitting feeling the need to regularly break speed limits to complete jobs on time and 61% saying excessive traffic or roadworks make completing their jobs difficult.
Driver support
However, more than half (53%) of UK drivers said they felt uncomfortable approaching their employer for support with stress and other mental health concerns, with 37% saying their employer offering only a low or non-existent level of support.
Edward Kulperger, senior vice president at Geotab EMEA, said: “These results are a stark reminder of the pressures faced by commercial drivers, impacting road safety for everyone.
“Drivers face significant work-related stress, observe dangerous behaviours daily, and are often pressured by schedules, yet many feel unsupported or uncomfortable seeking help.
“With nearly half thinking about quitting – and that amidst a driver shortage – it is crucial for employers to provide better mental health support now.”
