Trucks are among the most dangerous vehicles on the road today, especially big rigs. According to the American Trucking Associations, in 2012, trucks and buses carried nine billion tons of freight. This represents over two-thirds of all domestic freight. Big rigs’ high speed and heavy weight can cause catastrophic accidents and even fatalities. In 2012 alone, there were 3,702 truck and bus accidents, resulting in 4,183 fatalities.
In addition to the inherent risks of a driver’s job, the environment a truck operates in is also an important factor in a trucker’s life. Trucks are often filled with dust and pollution, which can be harmful to a person’s health. Besides this, long-distance driving can lead to fatigue and other physical problems. In addition to this, driving in bad weather conditions is particularly dangerous. When severe weather occurs, roads can become slick and icy, and truckers often don’t have time to pull over.
Drivers can be susceptible to depression and physical exhaustion. Many are also susceptible to prescription drugs or alcohol abuse. The long hours on the road and heavy traffic also cause truck driver fatigue. Furthermore, truckers are prone to falls and slips. Injuries can also occur from driving over the speed limit. Fortunately, truck drivers have a few protections, but the risks of trucking accidents are high. If you’re considering a career in truck driving, consider the risks and benefits.
What Dangers Do Truck Drivers Face?
Truck drivers are strapped to 72-foot vehicles that weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. These vehicles must know how far they can stop with a given load. They must also pay close attention to road conditions and avoid hitting anything that can cause them to slip or crash. While these factors can be difficult to control, proper precautions can go a long way. Truck drivers can minimize some of these risks by planning their trips accordingly.
Among the hazards that truck drivers face are accidents with other vehicles and their own health. According to the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, heavy-duty trucking accounts for one out of every seven fatal accidents involving vehicles. In 2018, there were more trucker deaths than non-truckers. In addition to the danger of truck crashes, there are many other potential risks associated with this profession, including poor physical and mental health.
Is It Unhealthy to Be a Truck Driver?
The long hours and sedentary lifestyle of a truck driver are dangerous for your health. You may develop diabetes, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases. Your diet is not as nutritious as a chef’s, and you may develop musculoskeletal problems. You might even get a bad case of backache from driving too many miles per day. And if you’re a trucker, you may not get enough sleep either.
There are several health risks associated with truck driving, including poor posture and increased risks of accidents. Fatigue can contribute to postural problems and can result in disc herniation. In addition to the physical demands, truckers are also exposed to hazardous fumes, accidents, and extreme fatigue. These factors contribute to the possibility of depression and anxiety. You might be wondering if truck driving is truly healthy for you.
According to the National Institute of Health, more than one-third of commercial truck drivers have one or more medical conditions related to their driving performance. Additionally, truck drivers with three or more medical conditions flagged were two to four times more likely to crash. These health problems are major regulatory challenges for the federal government. Fortunately, truck drivers can be healthy by modifying certain risk factors. And, if you’re thinking of joining the ranks, consider these tips to improve your health and longevity on the road.
What is the Life Expectancy of a Truck Driver?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), commercial truck drivers can expect to live between six and 15 years less than the average American male. This is due in part to the many health risks truck drivers face in their careers. The physical strain of long hours of driving, irregular sleep schedules, and poor diets can contribute to the reduction of a truck driver’s life expectancy. In addition, because of the lack of access to healthy food, truck drivers are often forced to eat foods from fast food joints and convenience stores that are high in calories, sugar, and saturated fats. Even more, most truck drivers are overweight or obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of thirty or greater.
In addition to increased stress and physical demands, truck drivers may also experience numerous health conditions. In fact, many of these conditions are common among professional truck drivers. Some of the most common health conditions experienced by these workers include high blood pressure, ulcers, and low back pain. In addition, truck drivers are more likely to experience heart problems and diabetes, which can result in a reduced life expectancy. However, it is not clear which of these health conditions may contribute to a truck driver’s shorter lifespan.
How Do Truck Drivers Stay Healthy?
Truck drivers face unique health challenges. Long hours spent in one position with limited food options can lead to sedentary behaviors that can compromise their overall health. To avoid these negative effects and improve their overall wellbeing, truckers should incorporate healthy habits into their daily routine. These habits include a balanced diet and daily exercise, as well as avoiding caffeine or alcohol consumption. Moreover, truckers should avoid excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, which can lead to premature aging of the skin.
Regular exercise is an excellent way to improve cardiovascular health and immunity. Even though truck drivers can’t fit in a traditional gym membership, they can exercise on the road by doing push-ups, planks, crunches, or weight lifting. Even walking or jogging for 15 minutes each day will keep them in shape. This will add up to nearly two hours of exercise per week. Additionally, drivers can also find ways to fit in daily physical activity by visiting truck stops and participating in health and wellness programs offered by pilot flying j travel center chains.
Do Truckers Get Robbed?
One of the most common reasons truckers get robbed is their cargo. When cargo is not moving, it is a prime target for criminals. That means truckers should be extra vigilant when parked or not in motion. Even the smallest stop or delivery can be an opportunity for thieves to steal valuable merchandise. Truckers need to trust their drivers, so the company should perform background checks on drivers before allowing them to operate under their name. They should also know where the freight is being delivered to, who will be receiving it and who will provide security, and other details that could help deter thieves.
Another common way truckers get robbed is when they stop at a rest stop. Often, the thieves will drive around truck stops and park next to trucks to steal their fuel. They then proceed to steal the driver’s cargo and put it back in their own storage tanks. This is a highly profitable method of theft for a trucker, so it’s vital to always have an alarm system installed. It’s easy to prevent theft with security cameras and other equipment, so always be vigilant.
Are Truck Drivers Safer Than Car Drivers?
While accidents involving cars are much more common, truck crashes are far more deadly. While truck drivers have more room to maneuver than a car, accidents involving commercial vehicles still result in severe injuries and deaths. Truck drivers need to practice better safety habits in order to stay on the road and avoid accidents. Fortunately, there are many ways to make sure you stay safe behind the wheel of a commercial truck. Here are some things you should know.
Many truck drivers are professional, quality drivers. Some have driven millions of miles without incident, but there are also some truck drivers with poor driving records and insufficient skill. Bad truck drivers often fail to understand how to drive safely. They often collide with pedestrians due to the rear tandem axle of a trailer. If you’re not careful, a truck can smash into your car or crush you. If you’re not careful, you could end up in a fatal crash.
What Do Truck Drivers Suffer From?
Many health issues are common to truck drivers. Many are related to long hours behind the wheel, including neck and back pain. Sitting for long periods of time also puts truck drivers at risk for musculoskeletal injuries. Proper seating and stretching can help prevent injury. Proper sitting and stretching should be a part of a truck driver’s daily routine. There are numerous stretches that truckers can incorporate into their daily routines to help keep their bodies and muscles in optimal condition.
Sleep disorders are common among truck drivers, who are forced to sacrifice sleep in order to meet deadlines. This lack of sleep leads to many problematic symptoms, such as impaired concentration and irritability. Sleep disorders can even lead to depression. Anxiety is another common ailment of truck drivers, particularly newbies. Even experienced truckers experience anxiety attacks from time to time. Whether it is a fear of driving a huge vehicle or worry about getting groggy during the morning drive, anxiety can become a major issue for truck drivers.
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