Research by Geotab has found that 90% of UK commercial vehicle drivers believe work-related stress has a negative impact on their driving.
The telematics firm said a driver survey had also found that half of drivers were uncomfortable approaching their employer for support, and half had also considered quitting their job because of the issue.
Geotab also found that 39% of those surveyed thought their employer only offered a low level of support or worse for managing stress and other mental health concerns.
In addition, 97% of those surveyed said they thought the risk of accidents had increased over the past five years – something Geotab said was supported by its telematics data. It said the total distance per collision driven by commercial vehicle operators in the UK decreased by almost one-fifth (19.12%) in 2023, from 920,000 miles to 740,000 miles.
Geotab EMEA senior vice president Edward Kulperger said: “The results of this survey are a stark reminder of the stresses of driving for a living, and we feel it’s our collective duty to raise awareness of the potential impact for drivers and other road users.
“Commercial vehicle drivers keep our economy moving and have come under increased pressure following the Covid-19 pandemic and massive uplift in home and business deliveries. It’s concerning to see how drivers feel under-supported when it comes to managing stress and other mental health concerns.”
Geotab is joining with other motor industry organisations to hold a webinar about the issue on 20 November, with sign-ups online.
