A new national study points to a “a hidden mental health crisis” among U.S. truckers, and may mean that the emotional toll of life on the road has reached a breaking point, for both drivers and public safety.
JW Surety Bonds, which provides surety bonds and small-business insurance, said it came to “eye-opening and urgent” conclusions after surveying hundreds of U.S. truck drivers across generations. Among the findings, 77% of drivers say stress or mental fatigue has made them less alert or more prone to mistakes on the road. More than half (57%) have considered leaving the profession due to mental health strain, with another 24% currently considering it.
Truckers want more support, with an overwhelming (84%) saying they would accept lower pay in exchange for better mental health support and more time at home. A troubling 21% of drivers say they don’t believe their employer genuinely cares about their well-being, and 72% of drivers admit they’ve hidden a mental health struggle out of fear it would affect their job.
“Trucking is more than a job; it is a lifestyle that can take a serious emotional toll,” says the study. “Days or weeks away from family, unpredictable hours, and the constant pressure to meet delivery deadlines all impact how drivers feel on and off the road.”