Bhubaneswar: With the incidents of road accidents and fatalities increasing alarmingly in the state, experts have raised concern over the degrading mental health of truck and lorry drivers and said that this may further increase the number of mishaps if the issue remains unaddressed.
According to a recent study, truck drivers are listed highly in occupation-hazards column and more than 50% of truckers suffer mental and physical health issues. The study also mentioned that trucking has an extremely high rate of on-job fatality.
There are reportedly 2 lakhs trucks registered in Odisha with about 1.5 lakhs plying daily. Meanwhile, with about 4,029 deaths reported last year, the state is also ranked second, behind Uttar Pradesh, in the highest number of road deaths by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
“There can be many causes of an accident, but in 78% of the cases, the drivers who are at fault. Thus, it becomes imperative to understand the mental and physical state of a driver. These behavioral patterns vary from drivers to type of vehicles they operate,” explains Dileep Panda, project head of city-based road-safety NGO, ‘SAFE.’
“Truck drivers spend around 10-12 hours of solitary driving. Apart from this, they are subjected to public apathy, long durations away from family, poorly-maintained vehicle, stress and alcohol. All these contributing to unsafe driving,” he added.
Importance of a sound mental health has been asserted by health experts as a must for efficient working especially in activities that require greater level of concentration. However, what’s alarming is the very lack of it in truck drivers driving heavy vehicles within the state.
As Pratikshya Das, a psychologist explains, “Apart from mental exhaustion long durations of driving in awkward postures and sleeping in tight spaces results in chronic back and joint pain. Despite this a study found that 63% of the truckers have not undergone a medical checkup in past 5 years.”
Resonating to Das’ views Gopal Biswal, president of a truck owners’ association in the city, attributes the mishaps to working under ‘undue pressure’ for drivers’ ordeal. “We are forced to reach our freight in or before time, irrespective of driving conditions, traffics or adequate rest. In case of a mishap the poor driver faces the brunt of authorities or public but no one understands the mental state we work in,” says Biswal.
In a report by the United Nations, 1.2 million people die each year in road accidents. Most of these deaths are in low and middle-income country where rapid economic growth has been accompanied by increased motorisation. With transport playing a key role in any developing economy and the state set to receive a major development boosts post ‘Make In Odisha’ conclave, working conditions of truck drivers cannot be overlooked.
“A definitive programme to study behavioral pattern should be designed and regular checkups for these drivers should be made mandatory. Focus should be on why to drive safely rather than on how to drive,” suggests Panda.
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