Truckers enjoy some semblance of freedom while traversing the open road moving goods from port to consumer disbursement points and beyond. However, performing this job comes with a high price with some underlying measure of danger.
Dealing with drivers is one aspect that puts truckers at risk for injury on the job, but some other aspects of the job may prove just as nefarious.
Internal health conditions
A sedentary lifestyle can put anyone at risk for health risks that those who regularly move throughout the day do not have. Those who drive as their primary income source are at elevated risk of these internal health issues:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
Truckers can mitigate this by stopping regularly, eating a healthy diet lower in fat, and getting the appropriate sleep level per night rather than pushing their bodies too far.
Mechanical issues
Trucks require a high level of maintenance due to the nature of their purpose and all the moving parts they require. Mechanical issues that may prove preventable can cause truck drivers serious harm, injury and even death. Poorly maintained big rigs are more prone to brake failure, tire blowouts and computer malfunctions.
Inadequate training
With the onslaught of goods that need transporting, truckers are in shorter supply. This may lead companies to cut corners when it comes to training, and this practice puts everyone else on the road at risk, including the trucker.
Truck driving can provide freedom, but it also may come at a high price.
