Working as a truck driver can be difficult, but it is also rewarding. Truck drivers are responsible for delivering goods to their destination safely. They need to be experienced with the truck’s size, weight, and speed limits to do these things properly.
However, being a truck driver is hard work, and it can be difficult to communicate with family and friends while on the road. Truck drivers are often away from home for weeks at a time. This makes it hard for them to balance their work and family life.
What Being a Truck Driver is Like
Truck drivers earn a decent salary, and for a good reason. There are plenty of challenges that come with this job. Truck drivers are often isolated from their friends and loved ones because they always have to be on the road. Below are the realities behind being a truck driver:
-
Truck drivers do not get to spend a lot of time with their loved ones.
One of the saddest truths about the life of a truck driver is that they do not get to spend a lot of time with their friends and family. Truck drivers are often away from home for weeks at a time because trucking companies require them to drive as many miles as they can within this timeframe. This makes it hard for truck drivers to balance their work and life outside of the truck company they work for, which can take a toll on their relationships with other people.
-
Truck drivers are at risk of road accidents.
Many truck drivers complain that they do not feel safe on the road because there are so many factors that could lead to an accident, such as other cars cutting them off or bad weather conditions. This means that truckers have to be very careful while driving their truck and taking extra precautions when it comes to safety. This way, they do not end up in a dangerous situation while on the road.
If ever truck drivers get in a truck accident, they have to make sure that the truck company is contacted immediately. This way, their trucking insurance can take care of them and get them back on track after the incident. A truck labor attorney can be called to represent a truck driver who has gotten into an accident to guarantee that his needs will be cared for.
-
Truck drivers often feel lonely.
Being alone on the road can be very difficult for truck drivers. There are times when truck drivers miss their loved ones so much that they end up longing for their presence. However, truck drivers have no choice but to endure the long periods when they cannot spend time with their loved ones. It is difficult to fight loneliness because truck drivers only have truck stops and truck stop bars to spend time in.
-
Truck drivers are vulnerable to mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
Since truck drivers often travel alone, they are at risk of developing mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Loneliness, truck drivers’ occupational hazards, and truckers’ irregular schedules are among the factors that make truck drivers more vulnerable to mental health issues compared to other people in regular jobs.
Therefore, truck drivers need to take measures to protect their mental health and wellness so that they can avoid mental health problems down the line. It is tough for truck drivers to deal with these problems while attending to the responsibilities brought by their jobs.
-
Truck drivers often do not get enough rest every day.
Truck drivers are expected to work long hours and to be adaptive to their work schedules. There are truck drivers who spend more than 100 hours a week behind the wheel of their truck, which is equivalent to working 16-hour days for five straight days without resting or sleeping.
Truckers often do not get enough rest every day because they need to transport goods as quickly as possible without compromising their safety. Therefore, truck drivers are often sleep-deprived, which can lead to truck driving fatigue. They tend to have slower response times when driving because they are tired. This puts their lives in danger as well as the lives of other motorists on the road.
Working as a Truck Driver is Not Easy
Truck drivers can earn a lot of money, but they also face a lot of challenges. They have to face challenges like sleep deprivation, loneliness, mental health problems, and risks of accidents. Therefore, a truck driver’s life is not something that just anyone can commit to. After all, truck drivers can be on the road for days, weeks, or even months at a time.
