No profession is without risks. Even office jobs expose employees to mental and physical dangers. Some jobs, however, top the charts for workplace injuries and fatalities and poor quality of life. Is trucking one of those dangerous jobs? Get some facts and advice below.
Short Answer—Yes
In a nutshell, truck driving is an inherently dangerous job. The role entails dealing with daily physical and mental stressors and challenging conditions that can lead to accidents that are sometimes, but rarely, fatal. Below, we explore each of the main factors making trucking dangerous.
Top Factors Making Trucking Dangerous
Several factors contribute to trucking being a dangerous job.
Lots of Hours on the Road
Driving is risky for everyone, so it makes sense that truckers, who spend most of their working hours on the road, are at a heightened risk of accidents.
Long Hours and Night Shifts
Truckers are sometimes required to drive up to 11 hours straight. Additionally, many of these trips happen during the night. Combine these two factors, and you get a perfect cocktail for exhaustion that is one of the top truck driver distractions on the road.
Bad Conditions
Adverse weather, poorly maintained roads, and heavy traffic are common encounters for truckers and can increase the likelihood of accidents.
Long Hours Sitting
A sedentary lifestyle is linked to all sorts of health conditions, including but not limited to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Solitude
Finally, even though most truckers choose the profession because they enjoy time alone, the solitude can become depressing when mixed with other stressors of the job.
How To Mitigate the Risks
If you’re interested in building a career in truck driving, then you should know how to mitigate the associated risks. If you work for a reputable company that protects your health with reasonable shifts and well-maintained trucks and equipment, that’s half the battle. From there, your job is to get enough sleep, take breaks, ensure proper nutrition and hydration, and practice defensive driving skills.
Though trucking is dangerous, the payoff is immense for the right individual. If you value the solitude and peace of mind that can come with long hours on the road, then don’t shy away from this career. Just keep these facts and advice in mind and do your best to protect yourself and other drivers.
