As a truck driver, you face many challenges as you navigate your office on wheels.
Often, a crash may come to mind when it comes to those challenges. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety statistics, 4,014 people died in truck crashes in 2020. While that remains a risk, other hidden dangers lurk.
1. Inadequate training
For someone new to life on the road, it does not mean simply traveling from point A to point B. If you do not learn the nuances of truck driving, you put yourself at a higher risk of a crash. With the lack of available truck drivers, some companies may forgo that vital training, putting you and other drivers in harm’s way.
2. Physical injuries
Long hours sitting and then doing the physical work associated with lifting and vehicle maintenance takes its toll on your body. Sitting has become the new enemy. When you travel along bumpy roads, that only increases your chances of developing long-term back or neck problems.
3. Severe medical problems
Too much sitting also leads to severe medical problems. That sedentary job often makes it difficult to get exercise or eat right. Along with the always-present risk of becoming fatigued and distracted, you become more susceptible to health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
4. Health care access
Constant travel makes getting proper health care more difficult. If your job requires long hauls, you may put off making medical appointments to enjoy time at home. The hours themselves also make it difficult to get regular physicals.
Truck drivers serve a vital role in this day and age, but you also need to be aware of hidden risks and develop ways to prevent them from happening.
