Comments about vocational drivers’ mental health from multiple individuals with a close involvement in road transport should be noted by the passenger sector.
That one of those people is Senior Traffic Commissioner (TC) Richard Turfitt means close attention is needed. While speaking broadly, Mr Turfitt questions how a Transport Manager can exercise control of an operation if they do not know how drivers are and how they feel.
Regular contact in a shift-based industry where some drivers sign on remotely or are away from base for a period is seldom easy, but a trainer believes that in some cases, an issue exists with self-esteem and a perceived lack of care for drivers’ wellbeing.
Many operators disprove the latter with facilities, support schemes and other items. The true indicator of success is likely to be the turnover rate.
A further alarm bell comes from the head of the Metropolitan Police Commercial Vehicle Unit. He suggests that transport lags behind the armed forces and the police in recognising the importance of mental health.
The $64,000 question is how to improve things. The trainer notes that not all staff are receptive to employers’ efforts to check on their wellbeing. What then?
Additionally, it is not just drivers that may be suffering. Other staff are vulnerable. Working a busy transport desk is no walk in the park, to point out just one example. Your own wellbeing, too.
A TC first highlighted the importance of drivers’ mental health in June 2019. It has become ever more prominent since and that trajectory will continue.
