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Is Truck Driving bad for your health?

Author

Eleanor Gray

Published Mar 01, 2026

Is Truck Driving bad for your health?

Long-haul truck drivers may develop health problems because of their work environment. Truck drivers were twice as likely to be obese compared to other US workers. Being obese, or overweight, can increase the risk of other health problems, such as: Heart disease.

Besides, why is truck driving so dangerous?

Trucking isn't just dangerous because you're out on the open road, controlling an 80,000-pound vehicle. It's also hazardous because of long-term health effects that arise from sitting all day and poor food options at trucking stops.

Likewise, how dangerous is driving a semi truck? Truck Driving: Still a Dangerous Job. Truck driving is the eighth most dangerous occupation in the U.S., based on fatality rates per 100,000 workers. Truck drivers had a 22.1 fatality rate in 2012, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For all workers, transportation was dangerous.

Also to know is, how do truck drivers stay healthy?

Here are a few exercises and steps that truck drivers can take to stay in shape despite their 300 days per year on the road.

  1. Take Advantage of What's Around.
  2. Keep Healthy Snacks.
  3. Grab Some Small Equipment.
  4. 15 Minutes, No Matter What.
  5. Work Out While Driving.
  6. Eat Three Meals.
  7. Log Your Exercise And Nutrition.

Is truck driving good money?

The pay isn't bad: Truckers earn a median annual wage of $37,930, which is $4,000 more than the median wage for all jobs, according to the BLS. The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $58,000 per year. So why do so many long-haul trucking jobs remain unfilled? First, it's difficult to get certified.

Is driving a truck a good career?

Truck driving as a career doesn't require any degree, but you need to be excellent at driving and you have to be time sensitive. Driving a truck can earn you a good living also. A person with a good driving experience can earn more than $65,000 per year and an entry level driver can earn up to $40,000 per year.

How much is a truck drivers salary?

40,260 USD (2015)

What is the best paying truck driving job?

Here's a list of some of the highest-paying trucking jobs out there right now.
  1. Tanker Hauler. Tanker trucks are those big machines that haul liquid such as water or gasoline.
  2. Hazmat Diver.
  3. Oversized Load Hauler.
  4. Ice Road Trucker.
  5. Transport Driver.
  6. Team Driver.
  7. OTR Driver.
  8. Instructor.

How much do truckers make starting?

The average yearly salary for rookies is $40,000. Of course, bonuses and additional perks are available for their top drivers.

What are the skills of a truck driver?

Truck Driver Skills
A truck driver should possess good communication, customer service, and judgment skills. A truck driver must have excellent hearing and vision and be in good physical condition, especially if their job requires loading and unloading freight.

What is the most dangerous job in the world?

In 2016, logging workers had the most dangerous occupation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with 91 reported workplace fatalities—an average of 135.9 out of 100,000 workers. Most deaths were from falling trees or equipment errors.

How do truck drivers not get fat?

Among the best ways include going for a walk, substituting snacks for vegetables, drinking water instead of coffee or soft drinks, eating grilled foods instead of fried or greasy options and eating smaller portions. Walking: One of the easiest ways drivers can stay fit on the road is to walk a mile whenever they stop.

What is the best diet for a truck driver?

Top Healthy Diets for Truck Drivers
  • #1: Lean Meat. Meat is a popular truck driver meal throughout the country, but you should know that not all types of meats are healthy.
  • #2: Fresh Fruits.
  • #3: Fiber-Rich Foods.
  • #4: Healthy Snacks.
  • #5: Water.

How do truckers exercise?

– Pushups – Pushups only require body weight and minimal space which makes them the perfect exercise for truckers. – Tricep Dips – Lastly, another easy, effective arm workout to do in your cabin is tricep dips. You can do them on the ground or by using your bunk as support to lower your body by bending at the elbow.

How can I eat healthy and drive all day?

If you spend much of your day sitting in your vehicle, try these five tips to preserving—or improving—your health.
  1. Exercise at least 15 minutes every day.
  2. Always eat breakfast.
  3. Squeeze in short walks whenever you can.
  4. Keep healthy snacks handy.
  5. Keep track of your nutrition and fitness.

Is Truck Driving a hard job?

Truck Driving Can Be Hard, But Rewarding
Truck driving isn't always easy, but once you complete TDI's three-week truck driving school and launch your career on the road, the benefits far outweigh the challenges.

What is the shortage of truck drivers?

The U.S. trucker shortage swelled by more than 10,000 to 60,800 in 2018 from a year earlier and is expected to more than double to 160,000 over the next decade, according to new numbers released by American Trucking Associations.

What percentage of truck drivers are obese?

Statistics from the National Institute of Health show that more than 50 percent of truck drivers are obese, compared to the national rate of 26.7 percent.

Is Trucking a trade?

It's that important. The thing is, as long as truck driving is deemed to be an unskilled trade, as it is across the country, we're in trouble. Truck driving is often called a job of last resort precisely because it's so easy to get into it.

How do you stay awake on a long drive?

Stay Awake Behind the Wheel
  1. Never drink and drive.
  2. If possible, don't drive long distances alone.
  3. Get enough shut-eye.
  4. Don't begin a trip so late that you're driving when you usually sleep.
  5. Watch your posture.
  6. Take a break at least every 2 hours.
  7. Have 2 cups of a caffeinated drink like coffee, if you can have caffeine.

Is there a shortage of CDL drivers?

The U.S. trucker shortage is expected to more than double over the next decade as the industry struggles to replace aging drivers and recruit more women. The driver deficit swelled by more than 10,000 to 60,800 in 2018 from a year earlier, according to a study by the American Trucking Associations.

Why are pickup truck drivers so rude?

Truck drivers are often perceived to be rude for one simple reason: inertia. Trucks have a lot of inertia and therefore take a lot longer than cars to safely slow down, speed up, or change lanes. Such slow responsivity can seem like rudeness to other drivers.

Why do truck drivers quit?

As you probably would expect, money issues, including rates and getting enough miles, are the top reason drivers leave. Complaints about not getting enough miles have risen in the past year as the economy and freight have softened.

Why do truckers get paid so much?

According to the BLS†, most trucking companies pay drivers between $0.27 to $0.40 cents per mile. You may find some companies paying more because of the high demand for Class A licensed Truck Drivers due to the ongoing truck driver shortage.

Do truckers get paid overtime?

Long-haul truck drivers are paid time-and-a-half after working 60 hours in a week. They are not entitled to daily overtime. Truck drivers who are paid on a day rate, trip rate, commission or other incentive basis are also entitled to overtime.

Will truckers be replaced?

Truck drivers may be replaced by automated technology as early as 2027. According to the researchers, artificial intelligence could be maneuvering trucks on the road within the next decade. According to the Los Angeles Times, 1.7 million American truckers could be replaced by self-driving trucks over the next decade.

Are truck drivers in demand?

Job Outlook
Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. As the demand for goods increases, more truck drivers will be needed to keep supply chains moving.

How much do garbage collectors make?

How Much Does a Garbage Collector Make? Garbage Collectors made a median salary of $37,260 in 2018. The best-paid 25 percent made $49,260 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $28,280.

Does Walmart hire new truck drivers?

Walmart is hoping to hire hundreds of new truck drivers this year and raise their wages to almost $90,000 a year. The retail giant added more than 1,400 new truck drivers to its fleet last year and "hundreds more are slated to join" in 2019, the company said in a press release.