Personal Injury Blog

Trucking Industry Focuses on Driver Health to Prevent Semi Truck Accidents

December 1st, 2011
fatal semi truck accidents

Truck driver medical health problems are an underestimated cause of truck accidents every year

According to data by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in 2007, approximately 87% of all fatal semi truck accidents were the result of driver error.  Out of these, 12% were caused because the driver suffered a heart attack, or suffered a diabetic shock, or some other kind of medical problem while driving.

Truck driver medical health problems are an underestimated cause of semi truck accidents every year. Now, the trucking industry is waking up to the serious health concerns that the trucker workforce faces.  More and more trucking companies are encouraging truckers to follow a healthy diet, and make lifestyle changes that encourage exercise to prevent cardiovascular disease.

It’s no surprise to San Diego truck accident lawyers that truckers have the kind of health problems that they do.  One particular trucking company conducted a medical screening of about 2000 truck drivers.  Out of these, 21 were found to have such serious health problems that they were immediately sent to a hospital emergency room.

A truck driver’s lifestyle contributes to the development of serious health problems.  These are sedentary jobs, and involve sitting for hours together.  Truck driver diet consists of food at a truck stop.  Needless to say, the food is often greasy, non-healthy and high in calories.  Truckers have limited options for safe, healthy foods.  It’s not surprising that so many truck drivers are overweight, and suffer from related health concerns.

Hypertension, diabetes and other cardiovascular problems are rife in the truck driver population.  Additionally, truckers may not have easy access to a medical exam.  They’re rarely in a single place for more than a day or two, and are constantly traveling. This means that a truck driver may not schedule a medical checkup as often as the general population does.  It’s harder therefore, to catch major lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension before these blow out of proportion.

The concerns from unhealthy truck drivers are serious.  According to some estimates, between 10% and 25% of truck drivers suffer from sleep disorders, like sleep apnea.  Sleep apnea is very strongly linked to obesity in truck drivers.  A trucker who suffers from sleep apnea is likely to fall asleep while driving, increasing the risks of an accident.

More and more trucking companies are unveiling initiatives aimed at enhancing trucker health.  These measures include the construction of on-site gyms, and employing of nutritionists and trainers to advise truck drivers. Companies are offering financial incentives to truck drivers who meet certain lifestyle objectives, like losing weight.  Some trucking companies encourage drivers to cook healthy meals in their rigs, or ride bicycles around a truck stop.

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