Over to you A FAIR GO FOR OWNER DRIVERS by Ray Pratt
Do truck drivers take drugs?
D
o truck drivers take drugs? This was a question I was asked some time ago by someone from the media who was trying to write a story trying to sensationalise the use of drugs amongst truck drivers. I answered the question by asking them if anyone used drugs in their place of employment. The answer is obviously yes. It is a fact that some people in all walks of life consume drugs. Police checks on heavy vehicle driver’s show that about one driver in fifteen is affected by drugs. While this may appear to be an extremely high percentage of truck drivers drug affected it is about the same ratio for the average motorist. Just remember most truck drivers do not take drugs. The issue is that truck drivers on drugs pose a bigger danger to themselves and the public because of the size of their vehicle. While most of the public that are
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WATM • June 2021
recreational drug users some truck drivers use drugs to combat fatigue. In many instances truck drivers are compelled to drive excessive hours to meet deadlines and so feel the need to resort to taking various drugs to get the job done. It may be argued that taking drugs is an effective way for long distance transport drivers to combat fatigue but it certainly comes with certain risks. It does pose a risk on safe driving. It does bring with it a lot of health risks. Lastly, drivers on drugs involved in crashes are more than likely to be the culpable driver. There have been several horrific accidents recently caused by heavy vehicle drivers under the influence of drugs in which innocent motorists have died. Unfortunately, reducing drug use in the long distance transport industry is not a simple matter. Drug taking while driving is illegal and dangerous but this does not seem to deter a lot of drivers. Many workplaces have
The question of truck drivers taking drugs should focus on the reasons truck drivers feel the need to use drugs
random drug testing to combat the problem but this is just a token effort by transport companies to show that they appear to be taking active steps to combat the issue. The question of truck drivers taking drugs should focus on the reasons truck drivers feel the need to use drugs. We work in a very demanding dangerous industry. Truck drivers are pushed to drive excessive hours to meet delivery times. We are often paid by the kilometre and the rate isn’t the best so we try and make up the shortage by driving longer hours. Transport companies and the large multi-nationals need to take responsibility. They paint themselves as good corporate companies but in reality they are the devil in disguise. They decide the work schedule and the rates of pay. If the deadlines and rates were to improve then the pressure would make life easier for the transport industry. It is fact that truck drivers work very hard and drive excessive hours in a very dangerous and competitive industry. Most truck drivers are hard-working decent people that obey the laws and are just interested in working to provide a decent living for themselves and their families. Truck drivers spend a lifetime driving trucks and we get to see things that are dangerous and need to change but nobody is listening to us. Keep it safe, Ray Pratt.
