Is Being a Truck Driver Dangerous?

Friday, December 13, 2024

Is Being a Truck Driver Dangerous?

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Truck driving ranks seventh on the list of the top twenty-five most dangerous occupations, carrying a fatality rate of 28.8 deaths per 100,000 drivers in 2021.

The dangers of truck driving go well beyond driving hazards. With long hours dedicated to being on the road, truck drivers are apt to experience a deterioration in their physical and mental health.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, Malman Law is here to help. Our legal team understands the dangers that truck drivers face on a daily basis.

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Truck Driver Death Stats

This occupation is one of the most dangerous in the U.S., with thousands of truck drivers losing their lives annually due to accidents and health issues related to the job. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in 2021 alone, over 4,000 fatalities were recorded in large truck crashes, with a significant number involving the drivers themselves (IIHS). They face both the risk of fatal road accidents and long-term health complications due to their demanding lifestyle, including extended hours, physical strain, and minimal access to healthcare on the road.

Some additional statistics help illustrate the scale of risk for truck drivers:

• Fatal Crash Involvement: Roughly 15% of all motor vehicle deaths in the U.S. involve large trucks, according to IIHS.
• Leading Causes of Death: Road accidents are the primary cause, but truck drivers are also at risk from occupational health issues like cancer and heart disease.
• Long-Haul Driver Risks: Operators who work long-haul routes are particularly vulnerable to road accidents and health issues due to prolonged sitting, irregular sleep patterns, and limited access to nutritious food and exercise.

These numbers highlight the critical need for safety measures, health awareness, and legal protections to support drivers, especially those in high-traffic areas like Chicago, where commercial truck traffic is substantial.

Health Concerns

Physical Health

Not surprisingly, injuries and deaths in the trucking industry are higher than the average rate for private industry jobs, and health issues can often lead to truck accidents.

Being sedentary for long periods of time can create a myriad of health problems. For starters, a truck driver is less likely to be physically active than other U.S. workers. Due to a lack of physical activity, truck drivers are twice as likely to be obese than other workers. Obesity puts truck drivers at risk for other health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea.

With such demanding hours, many drivers easily become fatigued. Instead of getting adequate rest, countless truck drivers resort to smoking to stay awake. Since cigarettes have nicotine, this stimulant can combat exhaustion and keep a driver alert behind the wheel.

Nonetheless, smoking increases your risk of:

Cancer

Truck drivers who smoke are at significantly higher risk for cancers, particularly lung and throat cancer. The Coast2Coast Trucking Permits report highlights that truckers’ constant exposure to diesel fumes already puts them at risk of respiratory conditions. When combined with cigarette smoke, this exposure leads to an even higher risk of lung cancer and other respiratory cancers. These physical states can impact a driver’s ability to breathe effectively, making it harder to stay alert on long trips and increasing the chance of an accident.

Coronary Heart Disease

Smoking is a major contributor to coronary heart disease, a condition that affects many truck operators. The sedentary lifestyle of truck driving is already a risk factor for heart disease, and smoking compounds this by narrowing blood vessels and increasing blood pressure. High blood pressure and heart disease reduce a driver’s stamina, causing fatigue and dizziness, which can be fatal while operating a heavy vehicle. A driver experiencing heart problems on the road may find it difficult to focus, react quickly, or maintain control, raising the risk of a serious accident.

Emphysema

A chronic lung disease commonly caused by smoking is hazardous for truck haulers. This health status damages the air sacs in the lungs, making breathing difficult. Reduced lung function means less stamina and increased fatigue, impairing reaction times and concentration. Smoking-related emphysema also raises the risk of sudden respiratory issues while driving, which could lead to accidents if a driver experiences shortness of breath on a busy highway.

Stroke

Smoking significantly increases the risk of stroke, a condition that can be catastrophic for drivers. The nicotine in cigarettes raises blood pressure and can cause plaque buildup in the arteries, both of which are significant contributors to stroke. For a driver, a stroke can be deadly if it occurs while operating a vehicle, especially a large truck. Even small strokes or transient ischemic attacks (sometimes called mini-strokes) can impair vision, focus, and motor skills temporarily, which could result in a severe accident on the road.

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

This is a common issue among smokers and can lead to complications for truck drivers. Smoking damages blood vessels, causing poor circulation in the extremities, particularly the legs. Operators who already sit for extended periods are at a higher risk of developing blood clots and circulation issues. PVD can lead to pain, numbness, and cramping in the legs, making it harder for a driver to maintain control of the pedals or react in emergencies. The combination of long hours on the road and cigarette use only exacerbates this condition.

There are other ways that a truck driver can stay alert, and that begins with taking control of your health. This can be done by eating smaller meals throughout the day to avoid low blood sugar levels, drinking plenty of water, and getting at least eight hours of sleep each night.

Mental Health

Being a truck driver is associated with high levels of stress. A truck driver must deal with hours of being on the road with no breaks, requiring them to stay alert for long periods of time. Truck drivers have to deal with traffic, inclement weather, and poorly maintained roads, all while trying to deliver goods on schedule.

The general public underestimates the psychological effects that a truck driver experiences when spending so much time away from family and friends.

Truck drivers may experience any of the following conditions:

• Exhaustion
• Sleep disorders
• Depression
• Social isolation
• Burnout

Malman Law’s founder Attorney Steven Malman has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury, nursing home, medical malpractice, premises liability, construction and workers’ compensation cases.

STEVE J. MALMAN

Founding Attorney

Dangers to Other Road Users

Truck drivers who do not tend to their health pose a risk to other road users. If a truck driver falls asleep at the wheel, there is a likely chance that other motorists will be killed.

Truck drivers as a group are susceptible to drug and/or alcohol use to combat loneliness.

Recreational drugs are never the answer, and alcohol will only cause a truck driver to be more tired. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 45% of commercial truck accidents involve an impaired truck driver.

A truck driver must take responsibility for their health or be forced to live with devastating consequences that come with bad choices.

Read on: Illinois Trucking Laws and Regulations

What Are the Most Dangerous Trucking Jobs?

Some trucking jobs are inherently more hazardous than others due to the types of cargo, driving conditions, and hours required. Here are the most dangerous types of these jobs, based on accident rates and work environment hazards:

• Long-Haul Drivers: Long-haul truckers who travel across multiple states and spend extended periods on the road, face higher risks of fatigue-related accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has regulations to limit service hours, but tight schedules often push operators to the limit. With limited time for rest, they are more prone to accidents and health issues like sleep apnea.
• Hazmat Drivers: Hauling hazardous materials, including chemicals, fuels, and radioactive waste, is particularly dangerous. An accident involving hazardous materials can lead to spills, explosions, and severe health hazards for the driver and others on the road. These drivers require specialized training and certification to handle dangerous cargo, but the risk remains high even with training.
• Ice Road Truckers: They are used to working in extremely cold climates, typically in remote areas where medical help is far away. The job requires navigating over frozen lakes and icy roads that can quickly become treacherous if conditions change. Ice road trucking is seasonal, but during winter, drivers face extreme cold, limited visibility, and the constant threat of ice breakage.
• Logging Truck Drivers: Logging trucks carry heavy, irregularly shaped logs, which make the vehicle difficult to balance and maneuver. Drivers often navigate narrow, unpaved roads in forested areas, making accidents more likely. If the logs are not secured properly, they can shift and cause rollover accidents, putting the driver and other road users at risk.

Overloaded Freight Drivers: Some trucking companies pressure drivers to haul loads beyond the legal weight limit. Overloading increases the risk of brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical issues that can lead to catastrophic accidents. Overloaded vehicles also strain the driver, as they must be hyper-alert to control the heavy load.

Contact a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer

The working conditions of a truck driver can force drivers to make poor decisions regarding their health. Besides the inherent danger of being a truck driver, the ways a truck driver attempts to deal with such a demanding job also puts others in harm’s way. If you are a truck driver who has been in an accident, request an appointment online with Malman Law today.