Davinder Singh, 29, has been a truck driver for a decade, traversing 16 states in India. Often, he drives for days on end without rest in pursuit of bonuses.
“My record is driving non-stop for three days,” shared Singh, a Bathinda resident in South West Punjab, as he prepared for a 1,000-km trip from Becharaji in northern Gujarat to Kaithal in northwestern Haryana. “We typically sleep only when necessary, around 2 am, and wake by 5 am.”
Singh is one of nine million truckers who facilitate freight movement across India’s crucial inter-state and intra-state networks. According to the 2018-’19 Economic Survey, trucks handle 69% of the country’s freight and contribute approximately 3.06% to gross value addition.
However, many drivers, Singh included, face excessive workloads. A 2018 study by lubricant manufacturer Castrol found that around 25% of truckers reported sleep deprivation, while 53% experienced various physical and psychological issues such as fatigue, insomnia, obesity, and stress.
Alarming Trends
From 151,417 recorded road-accident deaths in 2018, approximately 10% (15,150) were drivers or passengers in trucks. This marked a decline from 11.6% in 2017. In contrast to safety regulations in developed nations, India lacks guidelines on training, working hours, and periodic vision tests for commercial drivers.
Health Consequences
Truck drivers often tolerate poor health due to extended working hours and demanding schedules. Their monthly income of Rs 21,000 to Rs 24,000 hasn’t kept pace with economic growth. Furthermore, with 95% of the trucking workforce being unorganized, they lack adequate healthcare access.
Challenges of Overloading
Overloading contributes significantly to accidents, accounting for 10% of total incidents in 2018. It leads to various dangers such as tyre bursts and loss of vehicle balance. Experts emphasize the need for accountability among all parties involved in freight transport to address the issue effectively.
Vision and Health Issues
A study by Sight Savers India highlighted that 93.2% of truckers expressed interest in attending eye camps, with many experiencing vision problems that hinder driving. Despite efforts to provide corrective eyewear, a significant percentage of drivers avoid wearing glasses, fearing it may impact their earnings.
