Life on the open road has a romantic appeal for many — the freedom of hitting the highway and exploring the country from behind the wheel without being tied to an office or a fixed home. However, for professional truck drivers, navigating the nation’s highways daily is less glamorous and comes with hardships.
While some aspects, like regular sightseeing and a flexible lifestyle, may still hold, the realities of life on the road are often overlooked. These include long hours alone, irregular schedules that disrupt personal and family routines and physical demands from constant driving. In this article, we hope to provide a candid inside look at what a career in trucking truly entails through first-hand accounts from several drivers, shedding light on both the challenges and rewards they face as they work to keep our country’s economy moving.
Long Hauls and Little Sleep
One of the most well-known aspects of trucking is the long hours spent on the road. It’s common for drivers to cover thousands of miles in a week, with some crossing through multiple states in a day. It means many truckers spend more time behind the wheel than at home or with their families.
This grueling schedule can take a toll on both physical and mental health, as sleep deprivation is a common issue for truck drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) restricts driving to 11 hours daily with ten consecutive hours off duty. Drivers can drive at least 70 hours in eight days before taking a mandatory rest period.
However, many drivers feel pressured to exceed these limits to meet deadlines, resulting in exhaustion and fatigue. With rock chapel truck parking and rest stops becoming increasingly crowded and unsafe, getting quality sleep can be difficult for truckers.
Health Impacts of Life On the Road
In addition to sleep deprivation, truck drivers also face other health challenges due to their lifestyle on the road. The passive nature of driving for long hours can lead to weight gain and a host of related health issues, including increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. Limited access to healthy food options and difficulty maintaining an exercise routine while constantly on the move only exacerbate these issues.
Mental health is also a concern for many truck drivers, as the isolation and lack of social connection can take a toll on their well-being. Many truckers spend days or weeks without seeing another human being besides those at rest stops or during brief interactions with customers. This lack of meaningful social interaction can lead to feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
Difficulty Maintaining Relationships
The irregular and demanding trucking schedule can also make it difficult for drivers to maintain romantic and familial relationships. With extended hours spent on the road, truckers often find themselves away from home and their loved ones for extended periods. It can significantly strain marriages and other partnerships, as the limited time spent together can lead to feelings of distance and disconnection.
Furthermore, being absent during essential milestones such as birthdays, recitals, or school events can be emotionally challenging for truckers with children. Missing out on these significant moments can create a sense of guilt and sadness, as they cannot be physically present during these cherished times.
Safety Concerns
Driving a semi-truck, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, is no small feat. Safety is a primary concern for truck drivers as they must navigate crowded highways and unpredictable weather conditions while hauling massive loads. The pressure of meeting tight deadlines and the constant need to be alert on the road only adds to the stress.
Additionally, constantly on the road can increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries. According to the FMCSA, there were 5,096 fatal crashes involving large trucks in 2018 alone. It highlights the importance of proper training and regulations for truck drivers to ensure their safety and that of other motorists.
Financial Insecurity
Despite truck drivers’ challenges and sacrifices, many still struggle to make a decent living. According to a survey by the American Trucking Association, 89% of truckers are paid by the mile rather than an hourly wage. Traffic, weather conditions, and road closures can significantly impact their earnings.
Moreover, truck drivers often face expenses for maintenance and repairs on their trucks and costs for meals and other necessities while on the road. It can add up quickly and eat into their already limited income.
Regulatory Burdens
Trucking is a highly regulated industry, with numerous rules and regulations that drivers must abide by. While these regulations are in place to ensure safety on the road, they can also add to the stress and challenges truckers face. For example, the FMCSA requires truck drivers to log their hours of service electronically using an Electronic Logging Device (ELD). This device tracks the hours driven and forces drivers to take mandatory rest periods, even if they can continue driving safely.
While this regulation is meant to prevent driver fatigue and promote safety on the road, it can also lead to delays and lost income for truckers. Additionally, there are concerns that ELDs may need to accurately reflect the time spent working due to technical issues or the potential for drivers to manipulate their logs.