Good health prevents truck accidents
03 June 2011 | Non-life | Motor | Heavy Commercial Vehicle Underwriting Managers (Pty) Limited (HCV)
“Healthy truck drivers are a real asset to the South African transport industry. Healthy truckers are happy, more alert, reliable and responsible for their cargo reaching its destination intact and on time,” says Chris Barry, Managing Director of Heavy Commercial Vehicles Underwriting Managers (Pty) Ltd (HCV).
We believe the most common cause of accidents with truck drivers is driver fatigue. One of the ways to combat this is to get at least six hours of sleep every night. “If drivers don’t get a decent amount of rest they will get tired much quicker than usual, and their responsiveness and reaction time becomes slower which is extremely dangerous when on the road,” explains Barry. “That is what the truck stops on our national roads are for. HCV has compiled a list of the best truck stops – voted for by truckers. It can be seen here and will be a great help for tired truckers.”
Another serious and common health issue in truckers is malnutrition and high blood sugar. This can be a direct result of the take-away food consumed by truckers while on the road. These foods result in sudden spikes of energy, followed by sudden energy drops. It is advisable to eat healthy meals, high in protein and vegetables, when on the road for maximum use of energy. “Drinking lots of water is also very important to keep hydrated and increase mental clarity,” urges Barry.
Other health issues that are often not taken seriously enough amongst truck drivers are high blood pressure, tuberculosis, hearing problems, bad eyesight, and HIV/AIDS. Truckers should be tested for these ailments regularly to not only avoid disasters on the roads, but also to ensure their own good health and safety.
Make sure your clients know how best to stay alert when on the road. For more tips for truckers from HCV click here.
