A new Europe-wide survey commissioned by Geotab reveals a troubling picture of rising stress levels and road safety concerns among commercial vehicle drivers. The survey, titled “The Unseen Toll: Driver Stress and Road Safety,” gathered insights from 3,501 truck and van drivers across seven European countries and paints a clear warning: driver stress is on the rise — and it’s endangering lives.
Rising Risk and Growing Pressure
An overwhelming 95% of surveyed drivers believe that the risk of accidents has increased over the past five years. Of those, 61% described the increase as “very” or “quite significant.” Nearly all drivers (91%) said job-related stress negatively affects their driving performance, while 70% identified stress as a key factor contributing to unsafe road conditions.
Work pressure plays a major role. Half of the drivers admitted to frequently breaking speed limits just to meet job deadlines. The problem is particularly acute in Ireland (64%), the Netherlands (62%), and Germany (59%). Traffic congestion and roadworks also add to the strain, with 64% of drivers citing them as serious obstacles to completing their routes—especially in Spain (78%).
Unsafe Roads and Unsafe Work Environments
When asked about dangerous behavior on the road, 42% of drivers pointed to other motorists using mobile phones—the most prevalent issue in Italy (59%) and Spain (53%). Other concerns included reckless or poor driving (37%) and excessive speeding (36%).
Despite the growing mental toll, many drivers don’t feel supported. More than half (55%) said they are uncomfortable discussing stress or mental health issues with their employer. In Ireland, that figure rises to 66%; in Germany, it’s 60%. Over one-third of drivers (37%) rated their employer’s support for mental health as poor or nonexistent, with Spain (50%) and Italy (44%) topping the list.
The stress is pushing drivers to the edge. Nearly half (47%) have considered quitting in the past year, with numbers rising dramatically in Ireland (66%) and the Netherlands (58%). With over 200,000 truck driving jobs already vacant in Europe—and projections of 745,000 unfilled positions by 2028—these trends threaten the entire logistics ecosystem.
Support and Solutions Must Be a Priority
“These results are a stark reminder of the pressures commercial drivers face daily,” said Edward Kulperger, SVP of Geotab EMEA. “Our economies rely on these workers, but they’re being pushed out of the industry by stress and lack of support.”
According to Kulperger, the findings mirror similar results from a North American survey and should act as a wake-up call. “Employers must act now. This is not just a European issue — it’s a global one.”
Technology as Part of the Solution
Despite the challenges, there is optimism: 69% of surveyed drivers support the use of technology to improve driving performance and safety. Tools like telematics and AI-driven monitoring systems can help fleets identify high-risk behaviors, offer real-time coaching, and track wellbeing indicators — all of which reduce accidents, insurance costs, and vehicle downtime.
By investing in driver wellbeing, companies improve safety and boost efficiency and retention. As Kulperger concludes, “It’s time we use technology not just to optimize logistics but to protect the people who make logistics possible.”
Source: Geotab