We need to look after our drivers

When most people think of safety in road haulage they think about the machinery, but the most important part of our industry has always been the people, in this instance the person behind the wheel.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of drivers entering and remaining in our sector. Antisocial working hours and long periods away from support networks make it a difficult career choice for many. Physical and mental health issues among drivers are made much worse by the poor-quality roadside facilities they have to use while doing the job we all rely on them to do.

The RHA has long campaigned for better driver health and welfare, and as part of our efforts to address these concerns, we've partnered with Dr Debbie Hopkins and the University of Oxford's Trucking Lives project. Through this partnership, we've been able to carry out the largest ever survey into driver wellbeing. The project looks at the daily challenges faced by drivers and explores how businesses, and our industry can make changes to improve working conditions.

One of the major issues of poor driver health is diabetes. Many drivers face stigma due to their condition and are often seen as less capable of handling their duties. This perception is outdated and harmful. In response, we recently signed the Diabetes Safety Organisation (DSO) charter and have undertaken a range of initiatives in partnership with DSO to raise awareness of diabetes across our sector. We encourage drivers to make small changes to their diets, allowing them to enjoy their favourite treats while reducing their risk of developing diabetes.

Our commitment to improving the wellbeing of the nation's truckers goes beyond physical health. We also prioritise mental health by providing drivers and road transport sector workers with access to a wide range of resources to support their mental wellbeing.

At the RHA, we firmly believe that mental health is just as important as physical health. That's why we offer all our members and staff access to our Member Assistance Programme (MAP), a confidential service designed to help individuals dealing with personal or work-related challenges. This 24/7/365 service, run by PAM Wellbeing, is staffed by qualified counsellors who are available to provide support whenever it is needed. We're proud that this service is also extended to the immediate family members of our staff, ensuring that help is available to all those affected.

We also work in collaboration with Arthur Ellis Mental Health Support who offer various wellbeing initiatives, including 'Wellbeing Conversations,' which focus on the key aspects of maintaining good mental health and the importance of staying social, especially in a profession as isolating as truck driving.

One of the most critical areas for improvement that would improve drivers' physical and mental health is roadside facilities for HGV drivers, an issue on which the RHA has long campaigned. It's essential that drivers have access to secure, well-maintained parking areas to ensure they feel safe and can rest properly while taking their mandatory breaks. We estimate there's a current shortage of 11,000 parking spaces across the country.

Drivers have long been telling us that it's not just the quantity of spaces, but the quality of facilities that needs addressing. In a Transport Focus survey, two-thirds of drivers when asked expressed dissatisfaction with both. Dirty hygiene facilities, a lack of good quality food options and a lack of social space were all identified as significant issues which add to the drivers' perception that they are not valued by the society they serve.

We have been working tirelessly to improve conditions for drivers at truck stops. Over the past two years, we successfully lobbied for a combined £100 million investment from both government and industry to improve HGV parking facilities. We also lead a joint government and industry taskforce aimed at tackling the lack of safe and secure parking. The taskforce is focused on improving both parking capacity and standards across the country.

Reforming planning rules is crucial to improving driver welfare, as most applications for new truck parking sites are rejected by local planning authorities. For that reason, we're calling on the government to engage with the facilities taskforce to bring about much-needed reforms.

This chronic shortage of safe, secure HGV parking spaces forces many truckers to take their mandatory rest periods at on-road sites, such as lay-bys and industrial estates. Drivers parked in non-secure locations are more vulnerable and exposed to organised crime gangs targeting their cargo and their fuel. This threat adds significant stress to a driver's life and impinges their ability to rest properly. No one should have to work under such conditions.

While freight crime has significant negative effects on drivers and businesses, for criminals it is seen as a low risk, high reward enterprise, and it's happening every night across the country. Almost £700 million of goods was stolen last year, including technology, clothes, cigarettes and foodstuffs - the gangs know what is moving, when it's moving, where it's most at risk and how to sell what they've stolen quickly and untraceably.

For the police, freight crime can only be recorded as theft from a motor vehicle, putting these targeted, high value losses on a par with opportunistic thefts from personal vehicles. Once a criminal is caught, options for charging and sentencing are limited. We continue to call for the introduction of a specific freight crime offence with tougher sentencing options to reflect the seriousness of this organised crime activity. This would ensure that law enforcement agencies take the issue more seriously and are adequately equipped with the necessary resources to tackle this significant problem.

There's no doubt that we've made progress with improving the experiences of HGV drivers in recent times, but much work needs to be done. Decision-makers across government and industry have an essential role to play in ensuring that our sector is supported with effective policies and investment.

Reforming planning laws, recognising the seriousness of freight crime, and supporting improved standards for roadside facilities are all key steps that can improve the daily working lives of drivers. Helping drivers make healthy food choices and providing support for both physical and mental health are just as important. By working together, government, industry and organisations like the RHA can create a safer, healthier and more supportive environment for the drivers who keep our supply-chain moving.