Commercial motor vehicle driver health continues to be an important topic in the trucking industry. With the work environment and (easy to develop) bad driving habits working against you, it’s important that drivers take the time to properly care for themselves. Because when a truck driver isn’t healthy, they risk the safety of all those they share the roads with.
CMV Driver Health Challenges
CMV drivers are faced with many challenges when it comes to staying healthy and fit. Obviously, the job requires long hours of sitting in the cab, with limited opportunities for movement and little time for proper exercise. But this isn’t even the biggest obstacle that truckers are faced with. The environmental factors that drivers are exposed to put them at risk for a number of serious illnesses, and the requirements of the job don’t make it easy to fight.
Truck drivers are regularly exposed to fumes and bad air conditions. Idling your truck while sleeping has even been linked to lung cancer! And the limited range of motion can easily cause circulation problems for a driver. Long, stressful days and time away from the family also make truck drivers more susceptible to depression and stress-related issues. In fact, truck driving is considered one of the most stressful occupations there are, right up there with fire fighters and policeman.
What contributes to a CMV driver’s stress? Nearly every part of the working day! Occupational stressors include things like boredom, road and driving hazards, a feeling of being disrespected or misunderstood and constant looming time deadlines that can be difficult, if not impossible, to fulfill. Additionally, being on the road can seem like solitary confinement, as social isolation and being away from home for extended periods of time increase feelings of loneliness that can lead to depression.
All of these factors combine to make truck drivers more susceptible to various health and emotional disorders. Truckers are at risk for obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, exhaustion, back aches, sinus problems, and arthritis to name a few. Few truck drivers have time in their schedule to see a doctor, other than for their required DOT medical exam.
As a whole, truckers have a 15 year reduced life expectancy. Owner-operators have an even lower life expectancy. However, with attention to your health and making time for yourself, you can take control of your health and increase highway safety for all.
- 88% of long-haul truckers are either hypertensive, overweight, or smokers, which are all major health risk factors.
- 87% have hypertension or pre-hypertension.
- 27% sleep less than 6 hours per night.
- Truck drivers are 50% more likely to have diabetes.
- 41% of CMV accidents are due to physical factors affecting drivers.
(According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health)
Small Steps for Truck Driver Health
Becoming healthier does not necessarily involve major life changes, but can begin effectively with just a few small steps. Should you be following a well-planned exercise regimen every day and avoiding fatty foods and sugars completely? Of course, but most people don’t stick to extreme diets or life changes, which results in little to no improvements in health. It is more attainable and realistic to start small, and studies show that the healthier you get, the more attainable the bigger steps become. Here’s a few steps to get started towards truck driver health easily:
- Don’t try to do everything at once!
- Increase your water intake – experts recommend drinking ½ your weight in ounces of water per day but every little bit helps.
- Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes that are good for your circulation.
- Walk around while waiting for loads, or when stopped for fuel. Even 5 minutes of activity can do wonders for your health.
- Try to replace one snack or meal a day with a healthier option than you would normally reach for – keeping apples or trail mix in the cab of your truck keeps your body better fueled and naturally more energetic.
- Don’t sleep in an idling truck.
- Take time for yourself – even 10 minutes a day doing something you enjoy to relax can significantly affect both your mental and physical health.
Taking just a few small steps can make a big difference. And as you become more 
comfortable with the little things, then consider trying a daily exercise routine or further monitoring your diet. For more information about trucker health, visit The Healthy Trucker online.
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