Top Tips: Supporting the Healthy Minds of Commercial Drivers

With commercial drivers battling a range of stressors, at Teletrac Navman, we’ve compiled our top tips to help transport professionals approach their work with a healthy mind.

 

In 2020, the world was a more stressful place than it had been in the past 15 years, with 40% of adults worldwide saying they experienced high stress levels[1]. Two years on and with a multitude of ongoing pressures caused by COVID, Brexit, the fuel crisis, and the rising cost of living, emotional wellbeing continues to be a demanding issue for many individuals. And commercial drivers are no exception to that.

 

With Stress Awareness Month fast approaching, we spoke to Oswaldo Flores, product manager at ‎Teletrac Navman, about the key stressors for those in the transport sector.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably changed customers’ expectations. With the instantaneous nature of delivery services such as Amazon changing the game, customer satisfaction is a big challenge for fleets.”

Oswaldo pinpoints road safety as a stressor too: “For drivers, the pressures around road safety to keep themselves, their vehicles, and other road users safe should not be dismissed. Professional drivers put themselves at risk every day on the road – a reality that can take its toll on stress levels.”

And, of course, commercial drivers face real-time challenges too; “Getting from A to B is not so simple when unforeseen challenges occur and finding solutions to those quickly and safely increases pressure and stress.”

 

So, how can commercial drivers manage these stressors and approach their work with a healthy mind?

 

1. Look after yourself

Healthy eating habits, plenty of rest and regular exercise are not to be underestimated as tools to combat stress. Whilst healthy habits can be difficult for commercial drivers to maintain, simple practices such as proper use of break time to recharge a driver’s personal batteries and taking a quick walk on breaks can have a positive impact. Even a few laps around the vehicle can get the blood pumping and help alleviate stress.

 

2. Look after your vehicle

Keeping the vehicle well maintained is another key way to reduce stress when on the road.

Not having to worry about equipment failure, running low on fuel, roadside breakdowns, or potential accidents will help drivers feel confident that they can travel safely, reducing stress. 

 

3. Make the most of the resources available

There are a whole host of resources available for transport professionals seeking to promote a healthy mind. For example, our Partners, Driving for Better Business, are a brilliant resource. As part of their #CALMDriver scheme with Campaign Against Living Miserably, they provide special vehicle packs containing a simple flyer and some discreet stickers to go in the vehicle, letting drivers know where to turn when they need support. The campaign acknowledges that driving alone all day, when coupled with the stress of battling with the clock, can affect driver wellbeing and seeks to equip every driver in the country with resources to help get them through tough times.

 

4. Leverage the data

Harnessing telematics data is imperative to helping drivers and transport managers handle stress. Teletrac Navman’s software tools deliver data to help eliminate uncertainties and mitigate stress-related challenges to safeguard driver well-being. In addition, features such as route planning services and active navigation tools allow transport managers to relieve stress from the entire transport ecosystem – from administration staff planning routes to drivers on the roads dealing with adverse weather conditions.

 

Additionally, transport solutions, such as digital tachographs that are available in Teletrac Navman’s TN360 platform, can play a role in helping drivers manage fatigue and wellbeing-related issues. Whilst providing real-time information is the primary purpose of a tachograph to ensure operators meet compliance guidelines, it is also a mechanism that can be used to protect drivers. Data can provide a cohesive view on what a driver’s day looks like, including how much time they’ve spent behind the wheel in relation to the legal limit, where they are and what time they clocked off- assisting them with knowing when it is time for a break. This data creates efficiencies, helping commercial drivers traverse the operational landscape to focus on road safety rather than having to worry about operational efficiencies.

 

For more information on driver wellbeing and road safety, follow Teletrac Navman on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for regular updates.

 

[1] https://www.gallup.com/analytics/349280/gallup-global-emotions-report.aspx