Data shows that about 70% of America’s freight travel by truck, during the COVID-19 pandemic our economy and wellbeing relies heavily on truckers delivering essential products all over the country. Truck drivers have transformed into essential workers, transporting medical supplies to hospitals and keeping groceries stocked as lockdowns were announced. Truck drivers are some of the workers who have helped the country keep running during the economic turmoil from the pandemic. Even though they spend most of their time by themselves driving, they are still at risk of a COVID-19 infection by exposing themselves to warehouses and other people in the chain of distribution.
These are some of the risks truckers are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Truck Accidents
The risk of an accident for truck drivers is nothing new during the pandemic, even with cities shut down and with less drivers on the road, they are still at risk of being involved in a truck accident. Strict deadlines and a heavier workload can create pressure on a truck driver to work longer hours and drive at higher speeds to meet their goals. The Hours of Service regulations were suspended for a period, this means that truck drivers were not required to adhere to the strict rest and working hours rules, resulting in working longer shifts. Fatigued drivers have a higher risk of being involved in a truck accident.
- Risk of a COVID-19 Infection
Truck drivers also carry a significant risk of being infected with COVID-19. They work in warehouses and take several stops along their way to different parts of the country. Wearing a face mask and other preventive measures are not mandatory in all states, this means that the varying levels of compliance by both drivers and individuals they encounter during their route could expose them to the virus.
- Medical Treatment
Truck drivers are encountering people at truck stops or at delivery locations who are not protected with the basic equipment to prevent an infection. Other truckers may not be properly equipped by their employers or have the appropriate safety standards in place to avoid an infection. Truckers have also stated that it’s not always possible to get a COVID-19 test, some testing facilities do not accept out of area residents, and with truckers away from home it could take them longer to be diagnosed with the virus.
- Riots and Protests
During the pandemic riots and protests against police brutality and other social movements have risen in different parts of the country. There have been news reports about truckers running into these protests. Truckers face the risk of being caught in a protest while on their route if a protest becomes violent, they may not be able to drive away from the crowd. A large truck in the middle of a big crowd can be dangerous for both the trucker and the people attending the manifestation.
Some safety recommendations truckers could follow to prevent the risk of an infection and other dangers during the COVID-19 pandemic is to maintain a safe distance between people when delivering a shipment, always wear a face mask when making deliveries or at a truck stop, avoid touching their face, stay home if they sick. Truckers all over the country have helped keep our economy running, delivering medical supplies to treat the sick and kept food on store’s shelves. prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect truck drivers’ health by wearing a face mask and practice social distancing when possible.