Project Description
Why we could soon have a large number of vocational drivers on our roads who are medically unfit to be there.
Current research into driver medical results is delivering a shocking conclusion. We already know the health of older commercial vehicle drivers is typically much worse than average. Long hours behind the wheel mean little opportunity for exercise. Limited options for healthy eating lead to a poor diet. Shift patterns and unsociable hours lead to insufficient sleep. All of this adds up to higher instances of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
This is a problem for road safety as there are many examples of medical episodes behind the wheel leading to the death or serious injury of other road users. And when a signwritten commercial vehicle is involved, it often makes headline news.
What does this new research show? As older truck drivers retire, often in poor health, they are being replaced by a younger cohort of drivers… whose health is already even worse. Health professionals are now increasingly worried these drivers will be medically unfit to drive long before they get their next medical check.
Simon Turner from the National Highways Driving for Better Business programme discusses the issues with Professor Stacy Clemes from Loughborough University and Dr Grant Charlesworth-Jones from D4 Drivers who are behind this new research.
Prof Stacy Clemes | Loughborough University School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
