Stress and depression compromising the safety of Australia's truck drivers

A new report raises concerns about the mental well being of many of Australia's truck drivers.

The report says many are working under such stressful conditions that they are suffering from depression and this could compromise their safety on the road.

In one of the first studies which examines the mental health of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers, 1,300 'truckies' in New South Wales were questioned and the pressures many undergo have been revealed.

The report, the Health Survey of the New South Wales Transport Industry, has found that while many work for an average of 62 hours per week, 65% work longer, some more than 100 hours a week and the number of hours worked is directly related to their stress levels.

Working such long hours leaves little time for wives and family which causes considerable stress, affects health and family life and many truck drivers have been divorced.

The report says drivers with symptoms of depression are twice as likely to have an accident, while those with severe symptoms of depression are nearly six times as likely to have an accident and being divorced increases the odds of depression by 5-times.

Of concern is that 27% of drivers scored positive for potential hazardous alcohol use with 3 per cent in the extreme risk categories and also that 8.9% of drivers use a drug at least weekly, and the use of some drugs is double that found in the normal population.

Factors such as being employed casually or having depression may greatly increase the chance of an accident on Australian roads.

Many HGV truck drivers are heavily mortgaged in order to afford the cost of their trucks which are replaced on average every five years.

The report which was commissioned by Australian Rotary Health, was conducted by Queensland University with the support of the the NSW Transport Union and the National Transport Commission and a number of other organisations and it has major implications for road safety across Australia.

The author of the report, Dr. Michael Hilton from the Park Centre for Mental Health in Queensland, says it is important that the research findings are extended into an action plan, but HGV drivers themselves are resistant to treatment.

Dr. Hilton says educating those in the transport sector about mental health issues and reducing the stigma attached to asking for help with problems is important.

Dr. Hilton says the research has revealed that 91% of drivers with symptoms of depression are not receiving treatment and HGV drivers themselves have substantial barriers to treatment for mental health problems.

He says truck drivers with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, have double the chance of having a road accident and those with severe or extremely severe symptoms have four or five times the chance of having a road accident and the causes of stress in HGV drivers need to be addressed and working hours reduced.

Dr. Jeff Potter from the National Transport Commission, says new laws which address the underlying causes of heavy vehicle driver fatigue, such as poor planned rest breaks and impossible deadlines, are a step in the right direction to improve working conditions.

The NSW Transport Worker's Union, says the Federal Government's commitment to a system of safe rates and an inquiry into the link between rates of pay and safety in the transport industry are critically important for the future.

Experts estimate that accidents involving 'big rigs' cost Australia at least $2 billion a year.