Truck driver life expectancy

Topics include providing for your family and maximizing earnings, making the most of the opportunity to travel the country, selecting the best equipment, and maintaining your overall health and wellness. That breaks down to around 2,500 miles a week, which equates to 500 miles a day. According to recent driver health studies, the average lifespan of a professional truck driver is 61 years of age. National survey of longhaul truck driver health and injury. Jun 14, 2017 the average life expectancy of a commercial truck driver is only 61 years. Smoking contributes to health problems such as heart disease, lung cancer and others. Cars do not have a life expectancy rather a life span. Truck driver health issues shorten life expectancy 16. In fact, around 10% of active truck drivers are over the age of 65. Longhaul truck drivers operate heavy trucks and tractortrailers with a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. If you try to hold onto the truck over 10 years, you might not be getting the benefits of the technology from the new vehicle.

In fact, the center for disease control and prevention in an article on truck driver life expectancy cdc provides this information has said that the average life expectancy for a commercial truck driver is 61 years, which is 16 years. Shorter life expectancy of truck drivers dot physicals. Dots truck driver life expectancy statistic is in question. The build date is apr 06 and was likely installed when the truck was new. The grueling life of a longhaul trucker popular mechanics. Truck drivers life expectancy rate wheres the proof. What is the life expectancy of a truck driver, and why is it so low compared that of the average american. The fitness guru of the trucking industry the atlantic. Every drivers experience of truck driving is different, of course. The phrase, studies have shown is all across the internet and publications alike. What is the average life of chevrolet silverado trucks. The centers for disease control released last week a report on truck driver health risks related to irregular schedules, long hours of work, poor.

But here are a few components that are fairly universal when it comes to life on the road. Average lifespan of a truck heres what you need to know. In case you are curious about the life of a truck driver, here are a multitude of interesting facts regarding semitrucks and domestic shipments that you may have never heard before. In years past, the old dogs of trucking accepted the quality of life for truck drivers. One of the primary beliefs behind this statistic, dr. Many truck drivers frequently engage in bad habits such as smoking cigarettes or taking stimulants andor consuming excessive amounts of caffeine to stay awake. Before buying tires, take into account the cost of the tires as well as their life expectancy. Health risks that often come along with being a professional driver contribute to the shorter life expectancy risk. Discussion in heavy duty diesel truck mechanics forum started by gregr70, dec 28, 2019. If you like your own company, its great, however it can also be a lonely, alienating and unrewarding job. According to the cdc center for disease and prevention, the average life expectancy of a truck driver is 61 years, which is very less compared to the national average.

The fitness guru of the trucking industry with long hours behind the wheel and fastfood reststop meals, longhaul truck driving is one of the unhealthiest professions in the u. In fact, it has been said a truck driver s life span can have as much as 16 years cut off of a normal life expectancy as compared to others. It is an epa truck engine so just do your home work if you want some serious life out of it chubby fly, dec 29, 2019. Nationally representative 3 stage probability sample. Truck drivers and delivery workers had the highest number of workplace fatalities in 2016, more than any other occupation, according to data from the bureau of labor statistics. The grueling life of a longhaul trucker logging 12,000 miles a month, surprisingly clean truck stop showers, and dogs riding shotgun we go inside the cab with an american road warrior. Truck driving isnt for everyone but it could be for you. This is having an impact on the trucking industry especially, with older truckers becoming continue reading.

Makes way for older truck drivers by taylor brundage september 22, 2016 cdl drivers, employers, job seekers the life expectancy of an average american has. There are many perks that come with a truck driver s schedule, not the least of which is a unique view of the country, as well as camaraderie among your peers. The report, released in december, found that 918 truck drivers and driver sales workers died on the job. Truck driver life expectancy may be shorter than the norm, but the sources fmcsa cited do not support the figure of 16 years shorter. Fmcsa answers questions about driver life expectancy statistics. Apr 16, 2011 for years, we have heard that truck drivers have a life expectancy rate that is ten to sixteen years shorter than the average person. The american trucking associations says the industry.

As with any newer generation that is set in their own way of thinking, this quality of life will have to change in order to meet the newer demands of todays younger drivers. It is an industry that operates on razor thin margins, has enormous fixed costs and chews up and spits. Truck drivers life expectancy is 61, which is 16 years shorter than the us average. These men and women are essential to the transportation of goods in the united states, but high job demands and low control e. This might seem like slow progress, but the effects are becoming increasingly apparent as more and more people work past the normal age of retirement.

Most drivers are expected to cover 125,000 miles per annum. There were 5,190 fatal work injuries across all occupations and industries in 2016, a 7. Sep 22, 2016 the life expectancy of an average american has increased by 30 years since the last century. What is the life of a commercial truck driver like. There are many perks that come with a truck drivers schedule, not the least of which is a unique view of the country, as well as camaraderie among your peers. Fmcsa answers questions about driver life expectancy. Youll mostly get to drive modern trucks with comfortable, ergonomically designed seats to help you stay alert and focused. With reports flying all over the place stating that truck drivers now have a life expectancy of 61 years.

The cdc recently released a report that put the life expectancy for commercial truck drivers as much as 16 years lower than the national average. And what happens is that truck drivers tend to overeat, smoke a lot, and sit in a sedentary position for 11 or 12 hours a day and that takes its toll on the human condition. There are many perks that come with a truck driver. Truck driver health and mortality arent issues that we have historically paid much attention to, but if we are to achieve our potential as an industry, or as individual companies, we must start helping. Determining the optimal lifecycle for truck fleets. Truck driving is also a vital need in our industrialized society, so many drivers feel proud to contribute to americas commercial network. Jan 26, 2019 home life expectancy of a truck driver. Logging 12000 miles a month, surprisingly clean truck stop showers, and dogs riding. Since the mean life expectancy for an american is about 78 years, that number falls a significant 17 years short. According to the cdc, the average life expectancy for a commercial truck driver is 61 years. The average life expectancy of a commercial truck driver.

Intercept study of longhaul truck drivers stopping at truck stops. While there is a minimum age requirement for becoming a truck driver in most cases, to be eligible for employment, you need to be at least 21 years old one of the great things about professional truck driving is that there is no maximumage cutoff point. According to the centers for disease control, the average life expectancy for a commercial truck driver is only 61 years old which is 16 years lower than the national average. Jul 29, 2015 the grueling life of a longhaul trucker logging 12,000 miles a month, surprisingly clean truck stop showers, and dogs riding shotgun we go inside the cab with an american road warrior. Long haul truck driver health and injury published in the american journal of industrial medicine. Truck drivers face a disproportionately high risk for fatal crashrelated injuries and for serious health disorders. Am i too old to become a truck driver while there is a minimum age requirement for becoming a truck driver in most cases, to be eligible for employment, you need to be at least 21 years old one of the great things about professional truck driving. Being in the truck driving profession contributes to a shorter lifespan for truck drivers shorter than for others in other occupations.

It requires immediate attention and will involve disruptive changes in the working environment and within our healthcare delivery model. Survey results, published in 2014, suggest a need for a tailored approach to prevent injury and illness among longhaul truck drivers to improve overall driver health. American crisis health of our nations truck drivers. Truck driver health issues shorten life expectancy 16 years. Jan 26, 2019 companies keep on screaming truck driver shortage instead of fixing these things. Life as a truck driver can be challenging, it takes a unique individual to willingly make the vehicle or in other words the trucks cab, a home and office. For years, we have heard that truck drivers have a life expectancy rate that is ten to sixteen years shorter than the average person. In fact, the center for disease control and prevention in an article on truck driver life expectancy cdc provides this information has said that the average life. In fact, the center for disease control and prevention in an article on truck driver life expectancy cdc provides this information has said that the average life expectancy for a commercial truck driver is 61 years, which is 16 years lower than the national average. Even in school, my teachers would talk and i would look out the window and drift off to some fantastic or sometimes incredibly simple place in my mind. Among them are the type of tire itself, the condition of the car or truck, the roads traveled, tire inflation, and the driver. Ferro have said that the life expectancy of a commercial driver is 16 years shorter than the norm. If you are considering becoming a truck driver, or youre already one, it can be intimidating to think about the numbers and the risks.

The average life expectancy of truckers is just that an average. The main reason for the truck driver shortage is, youth is not coming to trucking at all, other reasons for truck driver shortage are job security. It can be even harder to find ways to balance your personal time with your working, when your workspace and resting space is one and the same. Ferro referenced the centers for disease control and prevention as the source of the statistic, as did transportation secretary ray lahood in his sept. Trucking industry struggles with growing driver shortage. Do you talk to other truck drivers on cb radios or anything like that. This will bring better quality drivers to the industry because they will have the information about transportation logistics and life on the road to make. Average life expectancy for professional drivers find a. Jan 31, 2015 the life span analogy or why cars dont understand trucks ever since i was a kid, i always loved to daydream. The centers for disease control released last week a report on truck driver health risks related to irregular schedules, long hours of work, poor diet and nutrition, and the stress of driving in heavy traffic and bad weather.

Trucking industry struggles with growing driver shortage more than 70 percent of goods consumed in the u. According to the centers for disease control cdc, the average life expectancy for a commercial truck driver is only 61 years old which is 16 years lower than the national average. Many people speculate about what the life of a truck driver is really like. Longhaul trucker josh giesbrecht lives a strange and solitary life. Life is a shorter highway when youre a truck driver quartz. A truck s lifespan expectancy differs from one make of truck to another. The 2001 chevrolet impala has a life span of 400,000 miles. According to a lean trucker report, the best way to ensure that drivers can maintain their weight is to watch what they eat. Mar 25, 2015 the fitness guru of the trucking industry. Jul 12, 2012 fmcsa answers questions about driver life expectancy statistics. It also depends on how it is maintained and how many miles on average it does per year.

When he was driving two weeks later, the tread suddenly separated from the tire. Drives a truck with three or more axles a heavy truck. Professional truck drivers may have jobs that pay good money, but often have conditions leading to poor health. The average life expectancy of a commercial truck driver is only 61 years. If truck driving is something you really want to do, then go for it. Logic tells us all that the lifestyle of the professional trucker is one. The job of a truck driver is sedentary and does not allow for many stops along the way especially not the gym. It is an epa truck engine so just do your home work if you want some serious life out of it. Industry statistics show the average lifespan of a long haul driver is just 61 years, while the average lifespan of an american male is 76 years. This is having an impact on the trucking industry especially, with older truckers becoming increasingly prevalent. What is the average life of chevrolet silverado trucks answers. The annals of internal medicine reported that this reduces the life expectancy for male and female drivers.

Survey results, published in 2014, suggest a need for a tailored approach to prevent injury and illness among longhaul truck drivers to improve overall driver. I was well on my way to becoming a statistic of being an obese truck driver. Several factors can contribute to a truck not living up to its life expectancy for example accidents, bad driving habits and negligence not maintaining the truck. In many ways, being a commercial truck driver is more of a way of life. Mar 14, 20 life is a shorter highway when youre a truck driver. This trucking blog features updated articles with helpful advice for truck life.

If a truck stays in service too long, the impact of downtime could cripple a business. Life as a truck driver balance between highway and home. Nov 18, 2014 if this is a truck that is used in the oil fields and it breaks down, it could cost the company hundreds or even thousands of dollars per hour in lost productivity, depending on the role of the truck, said reid of ge capital fleet services. The life span analogy or why cars dont understand trucks. Logic tells us all that the lifestyle of the professional trucker is one of poor eating habits, lack of exercise and terrible sleep habits. Jul 21, 2010 in years past, the old dogs of trucking accepted the quality of life for truck drivers. In many ways, being a commercial truck driver is more of a way of life than it is a job. But just because these statistics exist doesnt mean you have to become one. Recent statements from the department of transportation concerning the life expectancy of truck drivers lack statistical backing. Who wants to leave this beautiful world early, i think, no one. Average life expectancy for professional drivers find a trucking job. Each of those has a fivefold increase in deaths per year, compared to the average population. The need to improve the health of our nations truck drivers is no longer an option.

Trucking lifestyle blog life of a truck driver truck life. Aug 03, 2016 simple tips for truck drivers to lose weight. Still, there are some life expectancy ranges, expressed in miles and time, that can provide guidance in predicting a tires useful life. Educate the person who is thinking about becoming a truck driver so that he or she will know what to expect. Truck driver health and mortality arent issues that we have historically paid much attention to, but if we are to achieve our potential as an industry, or as individual companies, we must start helping, enabling, and educating drivers. The environment for drivers must be conducive to good health. Purpose of life as a trucker my purpose of life is to. In 2010, niosh surveyed longhaul truck drivers in the united states to determine national estimates of workrelated safety and health conditions.