Fair Go for Owner Drivers

from WA Transport Magazine - Sept 2022 edition

WA Transport History

Over to you A FAIR GO FOR OWNER DRIVERS by Ray Pratt

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CREATE A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE FOR OUR TRANSPORT DRIVERS?

When you think of dangerous occupations truck driving is probably not the first thing that comes to mind in Australia. In actual fact, it is one of the most dangerous occupations anywhere in the world.

Nearly every week a truck fatality occurs in Western Australia and this is totally unacceptable.

This means that a driver is not going home to his home or family. It also means that a family is devastated due to the loss of a loved one.

Truck drivers are working and driving every day of the week and just by the amount of kilometres they clock up each year puts them at high risk.

For example the normal motoring public averages around 20 000 kilometres per year whereas it’s not unusual for long distance truck drivers to travel in excess of 200 000 kilometres per year.

This longer period of time that trucks spend on public roads meaning they are more at risk as they battle road conditions and congestion, fatigue and adverse weather conditions.

So with the battle to meet delivery deadlines, the pressure to keep awake while driving excessively long hours makes them more susceptible to being involved in an accident that could possibly result in injury or death.

Truck drivers also face poor health with lack of exercise, lack of sleep and many being overweight resulting in higher risk of diabetes and heart disease especially as they get closer to retirement age.

While this may paint a gloomy image of truck driving many drivers are lucky to return to their families after each trip.

What can be done to create a healthier lifestyle for our transport drivers?

We see occasionally where some organisation do a study on issues with truck driver’s accidents and health but nothing ever seems to change that will benefit the driver.

I’ve seen and heard all the promises for dozens of years about Government intervention in our industry to make it better but nothing much has changed. Truck drivers are playing a vital role in the economy and steps must be taken to improve work conditions and safety.

Talk to truck drivers as they have the answers. We are the ones doing the hard miles; we are the ones in the driver’s seat trying to cope with every obstacle thrown at us.

Truck Drivers in Western Australia need less stress and more realistic delivery times. We need better facilities at truck bays and road houses. We need the Government to help ease the huge pressures that big business is forcing onto our hard working drivers. We need to be recognised for our important role that we play in the supply chain.

Is anybody listening? Keep it safe, Ray Pratt

We see occasionally where some organisation do a study on issues with truck driver’s accidents and health but nothing ever seems to change that will benefit the driver

survive a career in this wonderful industry without as much as a single accident.

The question should be asked what can we do to minimise the risks that occur on a daily basis so that every truck driver that goes to work can be accident free and safely