This sense of insecurity is fed by various factors, for example, Spanish professionals point out the reckless behavior of other drivers, especially the use of the mobile phone at the wheel (53%) and speeding (45%). In addition, 40% of respondents admit that, in order to fulfill their labor responsibilities within the established schedule, they are forced to regularly exceed speed limits. These are the conclusions that emerge from “The invisible toll: driver stress and road safety”, a survey between 3,501 European drivers of trucks and vans in seven European markets commissioned by Geotab, which analyzes the perception of professional drivers about their safety and well -being at the wheel.
In parallel, work stress emerges as another relevant risk factor. Almost half of professional drivers (48%) acknowledges that stress has a significant negative impact on their driving, and an overly 86% believe they contribute to increasing hazards on the road. Despite this, the support of employers remains scarce: one in four drivers (25%) claims not to receive any help to manage stress or other issues related to mental health.
Spain, better valued than the rest of Europe
In European key, the vast majority (91%) of commercial vehicle drivers affirms that work stress has a negative impact on their driving, While 70% say that stress is a factor that helps increase hazards on the road. The important labor pressures seem to contribute to stress: half of the drivers surveyed (50% on average) admitted to feel the need to regularly skip the speed limits to finish their work on time. This situation is more frequent in Ireland (64%), Netherlands (62%) and Germany (59%). In addition, almost two thirds (64% on average) claim that excess traffic or works make it difficult to completed their work, although it emphasizes that this challenge affects Spain (78%).
In a context of growing work pressures, Many drivers do not feel supported by their companies. More than half (55%) feel uncomfortable when addressing your company to ask for help with stress and other mental health problems, a percentage that increases to 66% in Ireland and 60% in Germany. This is also reflected in the fact that more than a third (37%) of respondents claim that their company offers a low or non -existent level of support, especially in Spain (50%) and Italy (44%). The effects of these pressures are evident: almost half of the respondents (47%) have considered leaving their job in the last 12 months (a percentage that amounts to 66% in Ireland and 58% in the Netherlands). This occurs at a time when there are more than 200,000 jobs of unchanged truck driver in Europe, and it is likely that this figure will increase to 745,000 in 2028, according to McKinsey.
-“Drivers face significant work stress, they observe hazardous behaviors every day they are often pressed by schedules, but many do not feel supported or feel uncomfortable asking for help”
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«These results are a hard reminder of the pressures faced by commercial drivers and that affect road safety. The European economy depends largely on these professionals, but stress is pushing them to abandon the sector and endangering road safety, ”says Iván Lequerica, vice president of EMEA in Geotab. «Drivers face significant work stress, they observe daily dangerous behaviors are often pressed by schedules, but many do not feel supported or feel uncomfortable asking for help. These challenges are not something exclusive to Europe, as demonstrated by the results of our recent survey of North American drivers. With almost half of them thinking of giving up -and that in the midst of a shortage of drivers. It is crucial that companies now provide better support for mental health ».
The positive side of technology
Looking ahead, more than two thirds (69%) of drivers support the adoption of technology to improve driving, 80% in the case of Spain. The results of the survey prepared by Geotab clearly illustrate the need to increase investment in driver support solutions. Also to improve stress management and promotion of a culture of prevention.
«As a sector, we must give priority to the well -being of drivers, using data and technology not only to improve efficiency, but to proactively create safer and less stressful environments. A real commitment is necessary to maintain safe roads and supply chains in motion, ”adds Lequerica.
Facing these challenges is crucial for the well -being of drivers and the efficiency of fleets. Giving priority to security helps reduce accidents, reducing insurance costs, repairs and inactivity times. The application of solid security programs, backed by telematic data and advanced AI models, allows proactive measures to be taken.
