A recently released study by fleet management platform Geotab calls to action the industry to increase support for truckers to address rising concerns about their wellbeing and ultimately road safety.
According to the report, “The ripple effects of driver stress on road safety and the bottom line,” 68% of drivers said work-related stress negatively impacts their performance, and 78% believe stress and mental health contribute to road dangers.
“This stress leads to increased costs, reduced efficiency and higher risks for everyone on the road,” said Geotab Vice President of product management Sabina Martin. “The financial impact is significant, including higher insurance premiums, potential legal liabilities and increased fuel and maintenance costs.”
Another significant cost is driver turnover.
Replacing a single driver can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000. According to a 2024 study from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, high turnover rates create costs for recruiting and training new drivers, with carriers experiencing lower productivity and generally higher crash rates.
There are many factors that play into driver stress: lifestyle with lack of social contact, exercise opportunities and healthy food; dealing with traffic and surrounding drivers; and primarily, dissatisfaction with pay.
[RELATED: Highway to health: Pay, lack of sleep and home time are top factors in driver mental health]
Driver compensation ranked fifth on the American Transportation Research Institute’s (ATRI) 2024 list of top industry issues. According to CCJ’s 2024 What Drivers Want survey, pay is a major contributing factor to stress.
“Stress over money is killing me,” said Ronald Harvey, a driver for DMR Transportation in Florida.
Another driver in the survey said predictable pay would help reduce stress, while Wisconsin driver Josephine Laney said, “Give the pay they deserve. In doing so it will be less stress and happy workers doing what needs to be done.”
Another factor that drivers noted in CCJ’s survey was congestion. One driver said increased traffic is a stressor.
“Drivers undergo a lot of stress every day, especially when your primary running area is east of the Mississippi. Bigger towns mean heavier traffic; everyone is in a hurry; the local people drive that road every day, but they'll still stay in that left lane ‘til they get right up on their exit then just shoot across three lanes of traffic to get off, most of the time without even looking. They just expect you to stop on a dime and let them over,” Tim Hay, a driver for Tyson out of Arkansas. “My company stopped running us West; I liked running West: less traffic jams equal less stress and easier running. Now all we do is [run] East of the Mississippi.”
Geotab’s survey found similar results. According to the report, 60% of drivers noted that traffic and road work have made job completion more difficult.
This has increased risks on the road as 26% of drivers admitted to regularly breaking speed limits to meet deadlines, while 51% said they’ve noticed others driving too fast. Other risks drivers noted were poor driving by others (71%) and other drivers on mobile phones (76%).
“Driving today, I have to stay on full alert due to so much distraction of others driving and not just four-wheelers,” Cheryl Pollard of Ricky Sellers Trucking in Alabama said in CCJ’s survey.
Driver distraction ranked 10th on ATRI’s list of top concerns facing the industry, while the driver shortage ranked ninth. But it could be argued that all 10 of the issues ATRI identified contribute to driver stress.
"When drivers are stressed, they may experience fatigue, reduced concentration, and impaired decision-making abilities, all of which can increase the risk of accidents on the road. Stress can also lead to heightened emotional responses, such as anger or frustration, which can further impair a driver's ability to stay focused and react quickly to changing traffic conditions," said Netradyne Customer Advisory Services Director Adam Lang. "Research has shown a correlation between mental health issues and distracted driving among truckers.
"Poor mental health, including conditions like anxiety and depression can exacerbate stress levels and lead to increased distraction behind the wheel," Lang added. "Drivers who are dealing with mental health challenges may be more prone to engaging in risky behaviors while driving, such as using their phones, eating, or daydreaming, all of which can significantly increase the likelihood of accidents. Addressing mental health concerns and providing support for truckers to manage stress effectively is crucial not only for their well-being but also for the safety of everyone on the road."
Geotab’s report underscores the importance of investing in comprehensive driver support systems to improve job satisfaction, which in turn reduces turnover and enhances recruiting, which can improve road safety.
Carriers are planning to prioritize wellness and personal development in 2025, according to Truckstop’s Carrier Insight Survey released in January.
Over 70% plan to improve their eating habits and exercise routines in 2025 with 76% planning to improve eating habits and 71% planning to increase exercise. Although work-life balance remains a challenge, 22% said they hope to spend more time at home, while 32% plan to spend less time at home, likely due to their professional demands and desire to grow their income.
Vik Sridhar, product leader at Geotab, said Geotab’s research shows a direct and critical link between driver wellbeing and the overall performance of the transportation industry.
"The future of the transportation industry depends on a thriving workforce,” he said. “Prioritizing driver support is a strategic necessity for carriers to attract and retain drivers, leading to better business outcomes and safer roads."
Geotab’s call to action recommendations include telematics for better understanding of driver behavior, driver-focused apps with real-time support, the adoption of advanced driver assistance systems and dash cameras, virtual reality training and even autonomous driving technologies.
[RELATED: Drivers disapprove of in-cab-facing cameras, laud road-facing cameras]
Commercial Truck Trader recently highlighted some health and wellness programs for truckers:
• St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF), which offers free health and wellness programs, including smoking cessation, diabetes prevention and cardiovascular health education. They also provide financial assistance for drivers dealing with medical emergencies.
• Rolling Strong, which is a mobile wellness program designed for truckers that provides access to health coaching, exercise routines and nutrition guidance. Their app helps drivers track fitness goals and make healthier choices on the road.
• The Healthy Fleet Challenge, which is a friendly competition that encourages drivers to improve their physical activity and wellness habits through a team-based approach.
