Is truck driving high stress?

Excessive stress in the workplace can have undesirable consequences on mental and physical health. Truck drivers deal with pressure from traffic, delivery timing (“Am I going to be late?”), bad weather, rude people on the road or customers, long and irregular hours, lack of sleep, and tight areas to maneuver within.

How stressful is truck driving?

A 2019 survey by CareerCast rated the trucking profession as one of the highest stress jobs in America. We were kind of surprised to see that the survey ranked truck driving as more stressful than professions in masonry, welding and food service.

What is the most stressful thing about being a truck driver?

From making sure that their vehicle is in tip-top shape, to managing their hours correctly, making deadlines, getting enough sleep, safely operating the truck, and navigating legal and regulatory hurdles, truck driving can be about as stressful a job as there is.

Why are truck drivers stressed?

According to Trucking Research, a few of the reasons drivers face stress include discourteous drivers, road construction, and being away from home. Though stress is not often discussed as a key reason for the driver shortage, it may be part of the issue.

Is being a truck driver depressing?

In comparison, 13.6% of truck drivers suffer from some level of depression, a drastic difference from the rest of the population. It's something we need to pay attention to and be aware of the signs of depression as professional drivers.

Is truck driving hard? Advice for new drivers and ways to relieve stress

Do truck drivers suffer from anxiety?

For example, in Shattell's 2010 study, more than 75 percent of drivers reported multiple physical health problems such as pain, hypertension and diabetes. Only 19 percent of truckers acknowledged mental health issues including stress and anxiety.

Why do truck drivers get depressed?

Depression is often associated with stress and anxiety, so a stressful work environment can put employees at a greater risk. Long-haul truck drivers are vulnerable to depression due to the high demands of their job, including: Extended periods of time away from family and friends. Long hours.

What is the hardest part about driving a truck?

Is being a trucker hard?

Truck Driving Can Be Hard, But Rewarding

Truck driving isn't always easy, but once you complete TDI's three-week truck driving school and launch your career on the road, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. A career in truck driving is a unique experience and defies the demands of a normal office job.

Are truck drivers happy?

At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, truck drivers rate their career happiness 2.7 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 10% of careers.

Why do truck drivers quit?

There are many individuals with the training and skills needed to fill these truck driving job positions. But due to low pay and less than desirable working conditions, many are leaving the industry, in search of a better career.

Is being a truck driver unhealthy?

It can also raise your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. We found 26% of truck drivers said they have hypertension, compared to 24% of the US working population. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.

Is it worth being a truck driver?

Doing the work that drivers are responsible for.

Pros: Many people love being behind the wheel all day and find great satisfaction in hauling the freight that people use on a day-to-day basis. This pride makes truck driving worth it.

How do truck drivers relax?

Listening to some of your favorite music, a podcast or an audiobook can help take your mind off a stressful driving situation. Tuning into something that is interesting or stimulating can help focus your mind and relieve tension. Music can also help a great deal.

What is life like for a truck driver?

Driving Limits: Truck drivers typically work up to 70 hours within an eight-day period. Most aren't allowed to drive more than this. After 70 hours in a truck driver's workweek, drivers must take a mandatory 34 hours off.

What is the easiest trucking job?

Dry van trucking is the easiest type of trucking job to get. For one thing, the turnover rate is very high, leaving a revolving door of open jobs. It's also not uncommon for mega carriers to have thousands of these in their fleets.

What is the average age of a truck driver?

The average age of an employed Commercial Truck Driver is 48 years old. The most common ethnicity of Commercial Truck Drivers is White (63.0%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (18.1%) and Black or African American (13.0%). The majority of Commercial Truck Drivers are located in AZ, Phoenix and NE, Omaha.

What are the pros and cons of being a truck driver?

Is driving a 18-wheeler hard?

Most truck drivers agree that while driving an 18-wheeler isn't necessarily hard, there is a learning curve when it comes to operating such a large vehicle. You need a lot more space to do things like make a turn, back up, or change lanes, and you'll have significantly larger blind spots to adjust to.

Is trucking easy?

Freedom. It's almost tangible when you're driving 60 miles per hour in a 53-foot 18-wheeler down the interstate. You can feel it around you as the windows are rolled down with the music on blast, marching to the beat of your own drum.

Is local truck driving hard?

Local truck driving jobs are hard work, but they also help drivers be present for the day to day relationships at home. Local drivers still have to find a balance with their loved ones, but the rewards can be great. If you value being physically present for life's little moments, local truck driving jobs are for you.

Are truckers lonely?

Driving a semi-truck across the country, back and forth for days on end, isn't just a lonely job; it's a high-stress job. The drivers must meet deadlines, go wherever the trucking company sends them, and the safety of themselves and those around them at all times.

Can truck drivers take antidepressants?

Drivers may not take medications that cause symptoms including drowsiness or difficulty concentrating. Drugs like Prozac, Xanax, Paxil, Imitrex, and can impair a driver and prevent safe operation of the vehicle.

Can you have a CDL while taking antidepressants?

Also, nearly all antidepressants are allowed, barring uncommon first-generation medications such as TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). In most instances, driver certification based on medication use is a case-by-case decision.

Is trucking good for social anxiety?

For those who like to drive and also tend to be socially anxious, trucking driving is a great option.