Driver training provider CarriersEdge has added new courses that address mental health challenges for truckers and personal security issues that drivers may encounter on the road.
“A driver’s mental state and sense of safety can significantly impact their well-being and productivity out on the road, which is why we wanted to add these courses to the CarriersEdge library,” said Jane Jazrawy, CEO of CarriersEdge. “Both issues are increasingly important for drivers, but often ignored because they can be difficult conversations to have.”
According to Jazrawy, many of the top-performing fleets that participate in Best Fleets to Drive For have training programs in place to address mental health and personal security. The “Mental Health” and “Personal Security” courses are now available to CarriersEdge subscribers at no extra charge.
See also: As cargo theft continues to rise, experts advise on prevention and spotting fraud
Truck driver mental health
On a daily basis, commercial truck drivers can face social isolation, long shifts, sleep disruptions, stress, and other job challenges that, over time, can lead to burnout, loneliness, and other strains on their mental health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 50% of the population in the U.S. will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime, CarriersEdge stated in its press release. In the commercial transportation industry, truck drivers are more susceptible to experiencing mental health issues due to the nature of their work. In a 2017 CDC report, transportation professionals experienced the fourth-highest suicide rate among occupational groups.
See also: How one carrier revamped its truck driver health and wellness program
The new mental health course is designed to increase awareness about mental health challenges and provide drivers with solutions to improve their mental well-being on the road.
“There is still stigma surrounding the topic of mental illness, which makes it difficult for people to open up and talk about how they’re doing mentally in fear of being judged,” said Jazrawy. “This course is a resource for drivers so that they can better identify and work through mental challenges they may experience and for fleet managers to better monitor and discuss these issues with drivers.”
Truck driver personal security
According to freight security network CargoNet, incidents of cargo theft in the transportation industry are on the rise. In 2022, CargoNet reported 1,778 incidents of theft in the U.S., an increase of 15% from 2021. CarriersEdge’s new course, “Personal Security,” is designed to help increase a driver’s awareness about personal security threats and provide information on what to do if a driver finds themself in a dangerous situation.
See also: Incomplete data, strained law enforcement enable cargo thieves
Drivers will be taught which situations pose threats to their personal security, methods thieves can use to target their loads, and how to protect themselves at each stage of the delivery process.
