Over the last 30 years, the haulage sector has made significant strides in safety, driver comfort, infrastructure, and technology. Despite these advancements, progress in supporting driver wellbeing and mental health has lagged behind.
As part of SNAP’s “Driving Conversations” series, the digital solutions provider for international mobility spoke with Gregg, a truck driver trainer, who has witnessed both advancements and setbacks in the sector over his 33-year career.
“I’ve seen a lot of mostly good change, our roads have improved, and so has truck safety and comfort for our drivers. Technology is definitely ahead of its time.”
A shift in the industry
Over the past three decades, significant strides have been made to enhance truck safety. In Europe, road fatalities have more than halved since 2001, dropping from 54,900 to 25,300 – largely attributed to safety regulations such as rear and side underrun protection on HGVs and the implementation of advanced driver assistance systems. In April 2023, HGVs were included in Euro NCAP safety ratings, providing a standardised measure of vehicle safety PACTS.
Technology has not only played a critical role in improving vehicle safety but also in streamlining processes. Advances in software have enabled fleets to monitor their vehicles, optimising routes and reducing fuel consumption. Those behind the wheel benefit from the introduction of driver assistance technologies such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, and automatic emergency braking – allowing for a more comfortable journey.
A shift in perceptions is needed.
Despite positive advancements, the industry is still struggling to recruit new drivers, with Europe facing a shortage of between 380,000 and 500,000. Driver wellbeing must become a top priority for the sector; some argue its neglect has made the profession a less attractive proposition for many young workers. A concern that Gregg was quick to highlight.
“At the end of the day, for the individual in the truck, their lifestyle needs to be improved. It’s a tough life. A lot of the drivers are away from home for long periods of time.
They don’t have a weekend off like most regular people. These guys have a 45. Once they’ve stopped, they have 45 hours, and then they’re back on the road, and that’s on a good shift. If they are working a 5/6 shift, they have a 24.
“It’s a tough industry to try to change. There’s an element of wanting trucks to be moving all the time, so they’re always going to push for people to do long hours. Maybe the youth of today aren’t prepared to step up to the mark or don’t want to.”
Despite this, several changes could help improve industry perceptions. According to SNAP’s social media survey earlier this year, many emphasised the need for better pay, upgraded facilities, and a change in public attitudes to help make the sector more appealing.
“The life of a truck driver has so many benefits, seeing new destinations and fulfilling a role that is outside of the normal 9-5 office job – there’s something that’s so liberating about that,” explains Stuart Willetts, UK Business Development Manager at SNAP, “The reality of that, however, is long hours on the road and time away from family, often for not much in return.
“There must be a shift within the industry to make the profession more attractive while providing support for drivers struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. Recent investments in truck parking show that progress is being made to tackle this ongoing issue. At SNAP, we want to keep working alongside our customers and industry bodies to drive improvements and position the sector as a rewarding career choice.”
