Healthy truckers have an average of 29 injury-causing collisions for every 100 million miles they travel. If a trucker has three or more health-related issues, however, the average injury-causing accident rate jumps considerably to 93 per 100 million miles.
Before climbing behind the wheel, truckers should be certain they are healthy enough to drive. Unfortunately, because drivers must meet tight deadlines, they may ignore the symptoms of failing health. Here are three trucker health-related issues that may put your life at risk.
1. Obesity
Truckdrivers often spend most of their days without engaging in much physical activity. They may also eat a nutritionally deficient diet. Consequently, truckers are twice as likely to be obese as other workers in the U.S. Obesity, of course, may contribute to major health problems, including diabetes, hypertension and poor circulation.
2. Smoking
Truckers also smoke more than other U.S. workers. If drivers smoke cigarettes, they have an increased chance of developing emphysema, cancer and heart disease. Smokers also have a greater likelihood of having a stroke than those who do not smoke.
3. Fatigue
Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk and distracted driving. If truckers do not receive enough quality rest before beginning their runs, they may not be sufficiently alert to avoid a collision. While federal regulations require taking rest breaks, some drivers may not take these rules as seriously as they should.
Because of the sheer size of tractor-trailers, a collision with one may leave you with life-altering injuries. If a driver’s fatigue or another health-related issue contributed to the crash, you may ultimately be able to pursue financial compensation from the driver or the trucking company.
