Why truck drivers are at risk

Professional driving combines long sitting, vibration, irregular hours and the responsibility of a heavy vehicle. WHO notes that road traffic crashes are a leading cause of death worldwide and that fatigue impairs driving. HSE guidance treats fatigue as a safety issue, not a personal failing. Obstructive sleep apnoea, in which the airway repeatedly closes during sleep, causes daytime sleepiness and is more common in people who are overweight, and in many countries it must be reported to the licensing authority once diagnosed and treated.

01Fatigue and obstructive sleep apnoea

The NHS lists loud snoring, breathing that stops and starts during sleep, gasping, and feeling very sleepy during the day as signs of sleep apnoea. Untreated, it makes falling asleep at the wheel more likely. Treatment, often a CPAP machine, is effective, and most drivers can keep driving once it is controlled.

What helps

  • Ask your doctor about sleep apnoea if you snore loudly, stop breathing at night or feel sleepy at the wheel.
  • Plan sleep before shifts and use rest periods to sleep, not only to stop.
  • If you feel drowsy, stop somewhere safe and take a short nap; caffeine helps only briefly.
  • Avoid alcohol close to sleep; it worsens sleep apnoea.

02Back pain from long sitting and vibration

Long hours in a seat with whole-body vibration, followed by loading or climbing down from the cab, strain the lower back. The NHS advises staying active and notes that most back pain improves within a few weeks.

What helps

  • Adjust seat, lumbar support, steering wheel and mirrors so you can sit back without reaching.
  • Get out and walk for a few minutes at every break.
  • Use three points of contact getting in and out of the cab; do not jump down.
  • Let your back settle for a few minutes after a long drive before heavy lifting.

03Blood clots, weight and heart health

Sitting still for long periods slows blood flow in the legs, and the NHS lists long journeys and inactivity among the risk factors for deep vein thrombosis. Irregular meals, limited healthy options and little exercise contribute to weight gain and high blood pressure, which WHO identifies as a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

What helps

  • Move your feet and calves regularly, and walk at every stop.
  • Carry water and prepared food; limit sugary drinks and fried meals.
  • Have your blood pressure checked at least once a year.
  • Build in a short walk or bodyweight exercise at the start and end of each day.

Weekly checklist for truck drivers

  • Plan where you will sleep before each multi-day trip.
  • Walk for five minutes at every break.
  • Pack water and two healthy meals for each long day.
  • Adjust your seat and lumbar support at the start of each shift.
  • Do three short strength or walking sessions in the week.
  • Ask someone you share a room with whether you snore or gasp in sleep.

When to see a professional

  • Loud snoring, pauses in breathing or gasping at night, or sleepiness while driving.
  • Back pain lasting more than a few weeks, or leg numbness or weakness.
  • High blood pressure readings, or no check in the past year.
  • Unexplained weight gain or tiredness.

Get urgent help for a swollen, painful, warm leg (especially the calf) or sudden breathlessness or chest pain, which can be signs of a blood clot.

Where ONU fits

ONU puts your sleep, activity and recovery trends side by side, which can help you see how irregular schedules affect your sleep and how much you move on driving days. It is not a sleep apnoea test and it cannot tell you whether you are fit to drive; only a medical assessment can.

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Common questions

Can I keep driving with sleep apnoea?

In many countries, yes, once it is diagnosed and treated effectively. Rules vary, so check with your licensing authority and your doctor. Untreated sleepiness is the danger.

How can drivers avoid blood clots?

Move your feet and legs regularly, walk at breaks, stay hydrated and keep active outside work. People with extra risk factors should ask their doctor.

Does coffee fix tiredness at the wheel?

Caffeine gives a short boost but does not replace sleep. If you are drowsy, stop safely and nap.

Sources and further reading

Educational information drawn from the public-health sources listed on this page. It is not a diagnosis, a treatment plan or a guarantee that you will avoid an illness or injury. ONU does not diagnose, treat or prevent disease. Speak to a qualified professional about anything that concerns you, and follow the rules of your employer, sport or local health service.