Pub. 1 2020 Issue 1

10 Kentucky Trucker Kentucky Trucking Association D riving a truck for a living is one of those things that peo- ple outside the profession don’t fully understand because they haven’t lived it. Trucks are just part of the landscape, particularly on long drives outside major cities. The U.S. is dependent on trucks to move the goods everyone needs from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible, but it’s easy to see them without understanding the vital role they play in making life more comfortable and conve- nient for everyone in the country. Those who have driven trucks professionally, however, know that it is a more difficult job than they thought it would be when they signed up. For example, the work day is a full 10 or 11 hours long and fatality rates while on the job are 11 times higher than average. There’s a lot of pressure to keep moving as much as possible, which makes it hard to slow down and solve problems in a healthy way. Truckers deal with accidents, bad weather, finding places that might be hard to locate, detours, poor sleeping conditions (like the back of the truck), and expensive, unhealthy restaurant food. Long-haul truckers are above average for the following problems, which are a mix of physical and psychological issues that create a harmful cycle: • Anxiety • Cardiovascular disease • Depression • Diabetes • Divorce • Drug use • Musculoskeletal issues that include the spinal system and the knees • Obesity Many of the physical problems are caused by sitting too much and being continuously exposed to the constant vibration of the truck bed. Too much sitting is bad for anyone, and the added vibration is also hard on the back. It is also challenging, dangerous work; those trucks are large and they travel fast. That means accidents, when they occur, are more likely to be serious because of that combination of weight and speed. Poor eating habits and too little exercise are behind the obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Truckers are dealing with a higher rate of obe- sity than any other occupational group, and the average weight is approxi- mately 240 pounds. The emotional problems are often caused by a combination of irregular schedules, extreme isolation and being away from the emotional support system that family, friends and community can provide. Being away from a spouse is particularly hard on any marriage; that’s why truckers, who spend so much time on the road, have a 19.5% annual divorce rate. In comparison, the national divorce rate is 3.6% per year. Most drivers are men, and men are more inclined toward depression than women. Introverts are more likely to become truckers than extroverts, but even introverts need contact with other people. Depression and Trucking