The UK’s van and lorry drivers are under pressure like never before, with almost half (46%) having considered quitting in the past 12 months.

The research reveals a mental health crisis on the roads

The research, carried out by Geotab, reveals a mental health crisis on the roads, with potentially severe implications for the UK’s supply chain and logistics sector.

The study, based on responses from 3,501 van and lorry drivers across seven European markets, found work-related stress, burnout and claimed lack of employer support are pushing drivers to the edge.

This mental health crisis is unfolding alongside a sharp decline in perceived road safety, with a general feeling among British lorry and van drivers that roads have become more dangerous since Covid.

The study, conducted with commercial vehicle drivers across France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK in April this year, found nearly all (95%) agreed that the risk of accidents has increased since the pandemic, with 61% reporting this increase as ‘very’ or ‘quite significant’.

A massive 97% say the risk of driving accidents has increased over the last five years, citing dangerous behaviour by other road users – including poor driving (44%), speeding (38%) and mobile phone use behind the wheel (36%).

The vast majority (91%) say that work-related stress has a negative impact on their driving, while 70% say that stress is a contributing factor to increased dangers on the road. Significant work pressures appear to contribute to this stress. Half of the drivers surveyed (46% in the UK) admitted feeling the need to regularly break speed limits to complete jobs on time, while two-thirds (61% UK) stated that excessive traffic or roadworks make completing their jobs difficult.

The survey also asked drivers about the most regularly noticed dangerous behaviours and found ‘poor driving by others’ scored its highest percentage in the UK (44%), while ‘other drivers on their mobile phones’ was at its highest in Italy (59%) and ‘other vehicles driving too fast’ reached the biggest percentage in Spain (45%). ‘Cyclists endangering their own life’ was at its lowest across Europe in the UK at 19%, with the highest in Germany (36%).

The effects of these pressures are clear: Nearly half of UK respondents (46%) have considered quitting their jobs in the past 12 months (rising to 66% in Ireland and 58% in the Netherlands). This comes at a time when more than 200,000 truck driving jobs are unfilled in Europe, and that number is likely to rise to 745,000 by 2028, according to McKinsey.

Edward Kulperger, senior vice president, Geotab EMEA, said: “Drivers face significant work-related stress, observe dangerous behaviours daily, and are often pressured by schedules, yet many feel unsupported or uncomfortable seeking help. These challenges aren’t unique to Europe, echoing findings from our recent North American driver survey. With nearly half thinking about quitting – and that amidst a driver shortage – it is crucial for employers to provide better mental health support now.”

Looking at support measures, the study found 53% of respondents feel uncomfortable discussing stress or mental health with their employer, and over a third (38%) say they receive little to no support.

But technology could be used as a force for good. Two-thirds (67%) of UK drivers would welcome new technology that helps improve overall driving performance.

By leveraging the technology drivers are willing to adopt, fleets can pinpoint risks, coach safer behaviours and monitor wellbeing indicators, enhancing safety, improving productivity and achieving significant cost savings.

“As an industry, we must prioritise driver wellbeing, employing data and technology not just for efficiency, but to proactively create safer, less stressful environments. A real commitment is needed to keep roads safe and supply chains moving,” Kulperger added.

Geotab’s pan-European study on The Unseen Toll: Driver Stress and Road Safety is online here.