One in four lorry drivers has ‘hooked up’ with someone while on the road and 15% have engaged in sexual activity, according to a new study that claimed to have uncovered the “hidden side” of trucking, writes Chris Tindall.
Perhaps more shockingly, 43% said they had been forced to go to the bathroom in their HGV due to a lack of nearby facilities and 38% have cleaned themselves in their lorry for the same reasons.
The research found 49% have texted while driving; 9% have fallen asleep at the wheel and 56% have changed their clothes in their vehicle for privacy or convenience reasons.
JW Surety Bonds, which compiled the results, said the lifestyle of the professional driver came with unexpected struggles that blurred the lines between their professional and personal life.
It said 26% had met up with someone for casual, often spontaneous physical and sexual encounters and 15% had gone the whole hog.
And in a statistic that no one needed, more than one in 10 HGV drivers – 14% – said they engaged in excessive masturbation as a strategy to manage stress.
“Relationships can also suffer under the strain of trucking life: 7% of truckers confessed to cheating on their partner while on the road,” JW Surety said.
“These statistics paint a picture of a lifestyle that can strain commitments and challenge boundaries.”
More than one in 10 lorry drivers reported experiencing poor mental health. Fatigue was another pervasive issue: 30% confessed to ignoring signs of fatigue and continuing to drive.
“This dangerous decision often stems from tight delivery schedules or financial pressures but poses a significant safety risk for truckers and others on the road,” JW Surety added.
“Addressing these challenges requires greater awareness and resources to support drivers’ well-being.”
In the past year, 62% of truckers reported being pulled over, with routine inspections accounting for 43% of the stops.
Safety concerns also varied significantly by gender, with 23% of female truck drivers fearing for their safety on the job, compared to just 8% of men.
JW said the disparity highlighted the additional challenges female HGV drivers face in an already demanding industry.
Last year, money.co.uk business loans said haulage businesses should implement several key strategies that prioritised employee well-being after its research found two-fifths (42%) of drivers were suffering from depression.
This included smarter scheduling and ensuring that workers had access to adequate rest breaks and designated areas to relax during their breaks.
