Common challenges LGV drivers face every day

Many people who have no clue about the transportation and logistics industry assume that being an LGV driver is an easy job. Looking from afar, it might seem that their life is not very complicated. All they have to do is drive from one place to another, which means their tasks are simple and straightforward, right? And they can just listen to the radio while going from point A to point B, so they mix in a bit of fun as well, some might think.

However, the life of a lorry driver is far from being a walk in the park. Yes, they drive all day long, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Being a professional LGV driver implies much more than sitting in the driver’s seat. There are many other factors and responsibilities involved in this line of work that a lot of people are not aware of. Drivers don’t receive anywhere near enough credit and appreciation for their efforts. In an attempt to shed some light on their activity, we’ll list the most common challenges LGV drivers face on a daily basis.

The strain of long working hours

It’s a well-known fact that lorry drivers spend many days on the road, and even with the required breaks it can still be extremely exhausting to drive for so long. If you are a driver, you surely know how tiring it can be to sit behind the wheel for a few hours and stay focused on the road. Imagine that a professional driver has to do that every day. It’s hard to maintain the same concentration level after you’ve been driving for a while. Exhaustion and drowsiness can make it very difficult to stay alert all the time and the risks are more than obvious.

Besides fatigue, drivers also have to deal with a lot of stress and pressure, as they have to deliver goods on time in optimum condition. They simply can’t afford to lose their focus because the outcomes can be disastrous. Compare this to working in an office where as stressed as one might be, losing concentration for a brief moment is not a big deal.

Staying safe and on schedule

Drivers must respect deadlines and stick to a strict schedule, otherwise there would be complete chaos. However, they can’t drive for hours on end. There are regulations that require them to stop and take regular breaks after a specific period, for their own safety and others road users’ as well. It can be extremely challenging to balance these two aspects. On one side they have to stay on schedule and reach clients on time, on the other side they have to respect regulations to make sure they don’t run unnecessary risks. Not to mention there are many things that can go wrong while on the job such as traffic restrictions, traffic jams, wrong directions etc. These put additional pressure on LGV drivers and make their work that more difficult.

Handling heavy traffic

As a LGV driver, road conditions are not always what you expect them to be. In fact, most times traffic can be a complete nightmare. No matter how well drivers plan their working day and trips, the reality is they’ll encounter many obstacles along the way. It’s not easy to spend all day stuck in traffic, knowing you have an urgent delivery to make and trying to keep calm. Navigating narrow streets and busy roads can turn into a real steeplechase. That’s why many LGV fleets use camera and sensor systems from companies such as Traffic Angel to ensure their drivers’ safety and help them run operations more efficiently.

Health issues

It’s not uncommon for professional drivers to suffer from health conditions due to their activity. Sitting down for so many hours in the same position has a negative impact on drivers’ physical health. Let’s not forget that while they are on the road, food options are not always great, so they have to settle for unhealthy meals. For those who go on long haul journeys and have to sleep in the cab, taking care of their health and wellbeing is even harder. Besides being at risk for various physical health problems, there’s also the issue of being isolated, far away from home and their loved ones for long periods. This can pose concerns for their emotional and mental health as well.

Misconceptions

Lorry drivers are no strangers to labeling and hearing all sorts of misconceptions about themselves. That can be very irritating, especially when those who spread these rumors and false beliefs are not familiar with a driver’s activity. Here are the most common misconceptions that fleet drivers face:

• It’s a men’s job – probably the most widespread idea is that LGV drivers are all men. While it’s true that in this line of work men are predominant, that doesn’t mean that women can’t make a career as lorry drivers. There are many women just as competent and successful as men in this line of work, but some people choose to believe this is not a job suited for them. However, statistics prove them wrong, as the numbers of female lorry drivers are on the rise everywhere.

• It’s so simple, anyone could do it – in theory, anyone can become a lorry driver, but in reality you need some skills for it. LGV drivers undergo special training and not everybody has what it takes to receive a license. It’s not as simple as driving a family car, so if you are interested in starting a career as a driver you shouldn’t expect it to be smooth sailing.

• Reckless driving – lorry drivers are said to be reckless while on the road and cause many serious accidents. This couldn’t be further from the truth. LGV drivers are well trained and respect regulations as this is part of their job requirements. They have more experience driving, so they’re usually much more careful and know how to avoid accidents better than other road users.

Cynthia Madison is a young blogger and economics and marketing graduate. She writes about home, lifestyle and family topics and is a senior contributor to popular niche publications.