Work-related stress impacting van driver safety
New research has revealed that work-related stress is lowering driving standards and making UK van and lorry drivers less safe on the road.
According to a survey of 200 UK van and lorry drivers commissioned by Geotab, 90% said stress has a detrimental impact on their driving habits
Half of respondents said they had considered quitting their jobs as a result of work-related stress, but the same number said they would not be comfortable speaking to their employers about stress and 39% said they are offered little or no wellbeing support at work.
Meanwhile, 97% believe that the risk of an accident has increased over the last five years.
This is backed up by Geotab data which found the total distance per collision driven by lorry and van operators in the UK decreased by almost one-fifth (19.12%) in 2023, from 920,000 miles to 740,000 miles. That equates to a further 20 collisions every year for a fleet of 1,000 HGVs each driving 75,000 miles a year.
Work-related stress
Edward Kulperger, senior vice president, Geotab EMEA, said: “The results of this survey are a stark reminder of the stresses of driving for a living, and we feel it’s our collective duty to raise awareness of the potential impact for drivers and other road users.
“Commercial vehicle drivers keep our economy moving and have come under increased pressure following the Covid-19 pandemic and massive uplift in home and business deliveries. It’s concerning to see how drivers feel under-supported when it comes to managing stress and other mental health concerns.”
As part of ‘Road Safety Week’, Geolab will take part in a special webinar, ‘Road Ready: Mind & Body’, on 20 November to shed light on the pressures faced by the UK’s commercial vehicle drivers and the actions employers can take to reduce stress.
