Trucker Fatigue Crisis Linked to Unfair Wages and Inadequate Rest, Study Reveals

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) has issued a stark warning regarding a widespread safety crisis in the road transport sector, citing that a significant majority of truckers regularly operate vehicles while fatigued. The federation’s findings indicate that 60% of truck drivers and 66% of bus and coach drivers admit to driving while tired on a regular basis. This pervasive fatigue is directly linked to what the ETF describes as “unfair wages” and systemic issues within the industry.

Crisis of Safety

Livia Spera, Secretary General of the ETF, has characterized the situation as a “crisis of safety.” In statements reported by Diario de Transporte, Spera explained that for many professional drivers, “every day is the longest.” She further elaborated that fatigue is “systematically incorporated into their working conditions,” stemming from a combination of unjust salaries, poor enforcement of regulations, excessive pressure, and supply chains that prioritize low costs over sustainable road transport.

These concerns were formally presented to the European Commission during the launch of the report “Driver Fatigue in Road Transport.” The report urges immediate action to address the critical issue of driver fatigue and its implications for road safety.

Key Facts

Root Causes of Fatigue

The ETF attributes the chronic fatigue among drivers to several labor-related factors. These include low wages, a lack of predictability regarding working hours, insufficient or non-genuine rest periods, and poorly maintained facilities for rest and sleep. These issues have been recurrent points of contention for unions, who have previously threatened strikes to advocate for improved working conditions and earlier retirement options, citing the high accident rates and inherent risks in the profession.

In 2024, the road transport sector in Spain recorded the highest number of fatal workplace accidents, with 138 employees in transport and storage dying during their work shifts.

Driver Shortages Exacerbate Problems

The ongoing shortage of drivers across Europe further intensifies these issues. Reports indicate that Europe is facing a deficit of approximately three million truck drivers, despite road transport handling 85% of the continent’s goods. This shortage creates pressure on existing drivers, leading to longer hours and reduced rest times. In Spain alone, an estimated 30,000 additional drivers are needed to meet demand, leading to reliance on workers from countries like Morocco and Turkey.

Deteriorating Vehicle Conditions

Beyond fatigue, the physical condition of vehicles is also a significant safety concern. One trucker shared an account of a dangerous incident involving worn-out tires that led to a near-fatal accident. Investigations have repeatedly found trucks operating with inadequate safety conditions. For example, a single week-long campaign by Spain’s DGT in 2023 resulted in the immobilization of 72 trucks for failing to meet minimum safety standards.

The problem of poorly maintained vehicles is not new. In 2021, a company faced accusations of manslaughter after a driver died in an accident attributed to faulty tires and a high-mileage, unroadworthy truck. Another case two years later saw a company investigated for forcing a driver to operate with defective tires, with the driver himself alerting authorities.

The implications of this fatigue crisis extend beyond individual drivers, impacting supply chains, public safety, and the overall sustainability of the logistics industry. The ETF’s report serves as a critical call to action for policymakers and industry stakeholders to address the underlying labor issues that are compromising the well-being of drivers and public road safety.

Source: “Es una crisis de seguridad por salarios injustos”: el 60% de los camioneros conducen fatigados y tienen claro quiénes son los culpables – Xataka, https://www.xataka.com/movilidad/crisis-seguridad-salarios-injustos-60-camioneros-conducen-fatigados-tienen-claro-quienes-culpables