Driver distraction or suicide?

Caution: Some readers may find parts of this content confronting or distressing. If any of this material raises concerns for you contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Areport by the National Transport Insurance in 2020 found the number of truck driver fatalities had more than doubled in 2019 compared to any year over the past decade.

The report also found that cars were responsible for about 80 per cent of deadly multi-vehicle crashes involving trucks, however, truck drivers were less likely to be killed in these scenarios.

The steep rise in truck driver deaths was described in the report as a "workplace tragedy".

Quarterly figures from the Federal Government showed there were 20 deaths involving heavy rigid trucks in the last quarter of 2019, up almost 67 per cent compared to the same period in 2018, but those deaths included people in cars and trucks.

Data from SafeWork Australia also found those who worked in the transport, postal, and warehouse sector had the highest fatality rate of all industries in 2018.

A major issue in the report was driver distraction and 82 per cent of crashes involved drivers aged 25 and under.

NTI broadened its research after it noticed the sharp rise in deaths among its clients. "That caused us to look at the broader road toll and we saw there was around a 65 per cent

However, one subject that is rarely spoken of in the transport industry is people using trucks to end their lives

increase in truck occupant deaths in 2019, compared to almost any year in the decade prior," report author Adam Gibson said.

Mr Gibson said people were too quick to assume truck drivers were at fault. "Part of it is the language we use; it is 'family killed in truck crash' and it tends to imply that the truck was at fault," he said. "We need to understand that behind the wheel is a human being. "They deserve the benefit of the doubt and we need to extend them that courtesy."

However, one subject that is rarely spoken of in the transport industry is people using trucks to end their lives.

The reason the transport media has been asked not to talk about it is that it ‘could’ give those vulnerable in the public the ‘idea’.

This is a double edged sword and most of us in the transport industry know of someone who has been affected, however their stories are rarely told.

The impact on anyone who has experienced this tragedy literally ruins their lives and many walk away from the industry severely mentally impacted.

Recently, we have seen more incidents of single car users, usually young men crossing the road into the path of an oncoming truck.

The results have been horrendous with the car driver ultimately losing their life and in some instances the truck driver or their passenger also dying. Have these been acts of suicide or distraction? Regardless, the impact on the truck driver is quite frankly life altering and this in turn affects their life both personally and work, family, and their business.

We have all heard of an increase in mental health issues in Australia since the Pandemic started but according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare who say there is no clear evidence of an increase in suicide, self-harm, suicidal behaviour, or suicidal thoughts associated with the pandemic.

The question we all ask is ‘why’ involve others in your demise and to that end WA Transport Magazine would like to hear from you if you have been affected. We want to know how this has changed your life both personally and work wise. Email karen@angrychicken.com.au

Perhaps by telling your stories we can help make a change and point out all the others who are affected, or if on the other hand you think this is not a good idea, we still want to hear from you with your reasons.